Posted: Fri, Sep 22, 2006, 12:58 PM ET (1658 GMT)
An Intelsat communications satellite that serves parts of Africa and the Indian Ocean malfunctioned late Thursday. The Intelsat IS-802 spacecraft suffered a "sudden and unexpected anomaly" at 8:27 pm EDT Thursday (0027 GMT Friday), interrupting communications services provided by the satellite. In a statement the company said that the satellite was under control and accepting commands, but it wasn't clear when or if the satellite could resume service. IS-802 operates in GEO at 33 degrees east and serves the Indian Ocean region as well as portions of Africa. Intelsat said it is working with its customers to provide alternative satellite capacity on other spacecraft. The satellite, a Lockheed Martin LM-7000 series, was launched in 1997; it is similar to another Intelsat spacecraft, IS-804, that failed in January 2005, although the company said it wasn't clear if the failures are related. Intelsat carried no on-orbit insurance on the satellite and said the satellite generated less than $30 million/year in revenue.

Related Links:

•  Space News article (subscription required)
•  Intelsat press release