Intelsat Migrating Satellites to Two Degree Spacing Over Pacific

Intelsat has repositioned Intelsat 702 as part of a three-phase plan to respond to growing customer demands in the Pacific Ocean Region (POR). When completed in 2003, the plan will result in a 36 percent increase in capacity in the POR.

The capacity increase is being achieved by migrating from a three-degree spacing configuration to a two-degree configuration, which will allow for the deployment of a fourth satellite to serve the region. In the first phase of the new plan, the Intelsat 702 was moved October 23 to 27 from 177°E to 176°E. The move provides a position for the Intelsat 602 to be operated in the inclined orbit mode at 178°E. Intelsat 602 will be moved to that position in May 2001 as the second phase. The third and final phase will occur in 2003, when Intelsat 705 is scheduled to replace Intelsat 602. Intelsat spent about 18 months planning the move, identifying and working with customers who had special needs while the spacecraft was being moved.

The two-degree spacing configuration is being implemented between the orbital arc of 174°E to 180°E. In the three-degree arrangement, Intelsat 802 was located at 174°E, Intelsat 702 was at 177°E and Intelsat 701 at 180°E. In the new configuration, the Intelsat 802 and 701 satellites will remain in the same positions.  

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