Posted: Fri, Dec 10, 2004, 7:14 PM ET (0014 GMT)
Satellite operator Intelsat announced Friday that it has delayed the launch of a new communications satellite for potentially several months while it investigates a problem that temporarily crippled a similar satellite. Intelsat Americas 8 (IA-8) was scheduled to launch later this month on a Sea Launch Zenit 3SL, but Intelsat said that the launch will be delayed until it completes an investigation into a problem that shut down IA-7 for several days last week. IA-7 suffered an electrical anomaly November 28 and while the company originally considered the satellite completely lost, reported last week that it had been able to restore partial use of the spacecraft. Intelsat said Friday that 22 of the spacecraft's 48 transponders had been tested and are available to be put back into service, although Space News reported that Intelsat and satellite manufacturer Space Systems/Loral believe that none of the other transponders can be repaired. Intelsat said it could take several months to deliver a final report into the IA-7 anomaly. Intelsat is in the process of being acquired by a group of private-equity firms called Zeus Holdings Ltd.; Intelsat said Zeus could decide not to consummate the deal if the situation is not remedied to its satisfaction.

Related Links:

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