Galaxy (satellite)

Galaxy is the name for a fleet of communications satellites of the U.S. company Intelsat

The satellites are originally from Hughes Communications, but were first acquired by PanAmSat and then since the merger with Intelsat continues to operate from this. Galaxy 1, the first satellite, was launched on June 28, 1983, a Delta 170 rocket from NASA. He was then replaced after nine years as planned by Galaxy 5 1992. There are now 16 Galaxy satellites in orbit, being located including five Intelsat Americas satellites, which were incorporated on 1 February 2007 in the Galaxy series. The most recently launched satellite is Galaxy 19, which ( with a Zenit- 3SL rocket ) came into orbit on 24 September 2008.

Overview of the Galaxy fleet

Problems with Galaxy 15

In April 2010, the satellite Galaxy 15 left his position and drifted uncontrollably almost 0.2 ° per day along the equator to the east. The transmitter in its transponder and position control, however, were still active, so that interference from other transmitted in the C- band satellites have been feared, where Galaxy 15 drifted past. This was prevented by avoidance maneuvers of the affected satellite.

Intelsat hoped that the position control of Galaxy 15 would fail 28 November to 29 December 2010, when the reaction wheels reach their maximum speed. On 17 December 2010, Intelsat announced that the solar cells are not optimally aligned with the sun, and Galaxy 15 has turned off its transponder due to the lack of electricity. As on 23 December 2010, the solar cells were again illuminated by the sun, the on-board systems started as expected and the new satellite could be brought under control again.

According to initial results, it is said to have acted to software errors by static electricity.