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BETZDORF, Luxembourg--Efforts to alter the orbit of a telecommunications satellite that is stranded in a useless sub-orbit could give the satellite owner enough time to rescue the equipment and save insurers hundreds of millions of dollars.
Betzdorf, Luxembourg-based SES Astra, a subsidiary of SES Global, raised its satellite's orbit hours after its Nov. 26 launch to 186 miles from about 109 miles, according to a spokesman. That maneuver gave the company days to put the satellite into a circular orbit. If that effort is successful, SES Astra would have months to assess whether and how it could save the satellite, the spokesman explained.
The problem occurred when a launch rocket's second-stage burn failed.
To become operational, the satellite, the Astra 1K, must reach a geostationary orbit 22,320 miles above the equator, the spokesman said. The satellite was designed to provide up to 13 years of backup television, radio and Internet services in Europe and to expand those services to Eastern Europe. But the fuel consumed in the orbit maneuvering efforts will shorten that lifespan even if the satellite were rescued, the spokesman said.
Numerous insurers cover the satellite, valued at $291.5 million euros ($290.7 million), according to sources. Munich Reinsurance Co. wrote the biggest piece of the program--$42 million euros ($41.9 million), sources said. Other major underwriters on the risk include London lead Marham Space Consortium, at $30 million euros ($29.9 million); AXA S.A., $22 million euros ($21.9 million); and the Hiscox Syndicate at Lloyd's of London, $19 million euros ($18.9 million), sources said.
International Space Brokers of Rosalyn, Va., placed the coverage.