Eutelsat Group, formed through the combination of Eutelsat and OneWeb, has confirmed that it has ceased operations on its EUTELSAT 113 West A satellite following an anomaly that occurred on January 31, 2024. Launched in 2006 and operating in an inclined orbit at the 113 degrees West position, this satellite provided coverage of the Americas in C- and Ku-bands, serving customers in video, data, and government services on 18 operational transponders, Eutelsat said.
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EUTELSAT 113 West A satellite
Eutelsat stated that mitigation actions are underway to minimise the disruption to impacted customers, including the accelerated transfer to alternative capacity on satellites located at the 115 degrees and 117 degrees West positions.
Additionally, Eutelsat teams are reportedly deploying efforts to mitigate the potential adverse consequences on orbital safety, with the company reaffirming its commitment to a safe and sustainable space environment.
Mitigation Measures and Financial Impact
Eutelsat emphasised that the satellite, approaching its end-of-life, is no longer part of the In Orbit Insurance policy. The financial impact of the satellite's end-of-life status is estimated to be approximately EUR 3 million for the fiscal year 2024, with further impacts of EUR 5-6 million per annum expected for the period of FY25-28. However, Eutelsat has clarified that these impacts will not alter its financial objectives for the fiscal year 2024.
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Eutelsat Group was formed through the combination of Eutelsat and OneWeb in 2023, becoming the first fully integrated GEO-LEO satellite operator with a fleet of 36 geostationary (GEO) satellites and a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation of more than 600 satellites.
