Arabsat 3A Power Cut in Half

On December 7 eight transponders (of 20) on Arabsat 3A failed, due to a suspected failure of a power switching panel. Ground control was able to restore broadcasts to some of the transponders by frequency re-allocation and using alternate power supplies. Full details have not been disclosed, but it currently seems that the failure may be permanent. The other solar array is reported to be functioning normally. The Arab Satellite
Communications Organization (ASCO), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is likely to file a US$180 million claim for the total loss of the three year old satellite. 

Many analog channels and multiplexes were relocated to Arabsat 2A, because of the failure. The Orbit Network was heavily affected by the capacity loss on three transponders.

Arabsat 3A, an Alcatel Spacebus 3000 spacecraft, was launched 26 February 1999 and co-located with Arabsat 2A at 26°E. The satellite had an expected design life of 13 years, so should not have been expected to be replaced until 2012. Arabsat is scrambling for a solution to replace the lost capacity at the 26°E slot.

In January 2001 Arabsat initiated a study to obtain a 4th satellite to supplement capacity, but has not yet issued an RFP.

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