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PanAmSat
Cancels Galaxy 8iR Contract
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Buried in PanAmSat’s recent SEC
10-Q report the company reported that they exercised their right
to cancel their satellite construction contracts for Galaxy 8iR.
As a result of the termination of the construction agreement,
PanAmSat will be entitled to receive approximately US$72 million
from the manufacturer, which represents amounts previously paid to
the manufacturer and certain additional amounts owed to PanAmSat
under the construction agreement. In addition, PanAmSat has agreed
with the Galaxy 8iR launch vehicle provider to defer their use of
the launch for a future satellite.
 Galaxy
8iR was scheduled to launch on a Zenit 3SL in the third quarter of
2002 according to the FAA/AST website (FAA/AST licenses U.S.
launches). Galaxy 8iR was a replacement for Galaxy 8i,  which
was an HS 601HP, now built by Boeing. Boeing has been carrying an
unnamed PanAmSat BSS 601HP on their website, and would have been
the expected company to build the replacement satellite.
In 1998 Galaxy 8i suffered battery
cell failures which has made it necessary to shut off a
substantial number of transponders for brief periods during the
eclipses. In October 2000 the satellite began experiencing
problems with its primary propulsion system. The satellite lost at
least three of its four XIPS thrusters. Without the XIPS, the
spacecraft was expected to reach its end-of-life in late 2002. The
satellite was originally expected to operate through 2012.
PanAmSat placed Galaxy 3C, a BSS 702, into the Galaxy 8i orbital
location to serve as a replacement for Galaxy 8i. Galaxy 8i and
Galaxy 3C are located at 95°W.
PanAmSat expects to launch up to
four more satellites by 2006. PanAmSat expects to launch Galaxy 12
(formerly named Galaxy 5R) in the first quarter of 2003 to 74°W.
Through its joint-venture with JSAT International Inc., Galaxy
13/Horizons-1 satellite is planned for launch to 127°W in the
second quarter of 2003. Two additional satellites are under
construction to provide United States coverage. One of those
satellites is currently planned to replace Galaxy 5 at 125°W
prior to the end of its useful life in 2005. The other additional
satellite is scheduled to replace Galaxy 1R at 133°W prior to the
end of its useful life in 2006.
In January 2002 and August 2002,
PamAmSat entered into noncontingent agreements with Orbital
Sciences Corporation, with each agreement providing for the
construction of a Ka-band satellite to be delivered in 2005, the
timing of which was in part to comply with FCC milestones
associated with PanAmSat authorizations. PanAmSat is continuing to
explore the business case for the use of Ka-band frequencies and
may conclude not to pursue the construction of either or both of
the satellites to completion. If PanAmSat ultimately decides not
to proceed with either or both of the satellites, PanAmSat will
only owe Orbital Sciences a termination fee under the applicable
contracts.
Copyright 2001 - Andrews Space & Technology
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