Dont know why the stock price is up,considering this...
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2004
The American-built communications satellite launched Saturday
night to serve Brazil has failed to fully deploy one of its two
power-generating solar panels. If controllers cannot correct the
problem, the Telstar 14/Estrela do Sul 1 spacecraft's future will be
in serious doubt.
Loral officials said the satellite's subsystems stable and corrective
actions being analyzed. Here is the company's statement on the
situation:
"Loral Space & Communications, today said that after launch on
January 10, 2004, the Telstar 14/Estrela do Sul communications
satellite fully deployed its South solar array but only partially
deployed its North solar array.
"Space Systems/Loral, the manufacturer of the satellite, is in the
process of collecting data prior to the initiation of available
corrective actions to complete deployment of the North array.
Incomplete deployment of a solar array, if not corrected, reduces a
satellite's power.
"The satellite is in safe mode and has more than sufficient power to
maintain satellite health. Further details will be available after
completion of the investigation.
"The satellite, to be operated by Loral Skynet do Brasil at 63
degrees West longitude, was sent into space Saturday night on a
Boeing Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket from the Odyssey Launch
Platform, positioned on the equator in the Pacific Ocean. It is
insured for partial and total losses up to a maximum of $250 million." |
