Boeing built DirecTV satellite may Explode in Orbit after Suffering Unexpected Malfunction

It's already past it's expected age, so not really much of a story.

a reply to: OccamsRazor04

Nah, nothing to see here.

FCC Proposes to Fine DIRECTV, Inc. $87,500 for Repositioning Satellite Without Authorization

a reply to: Waterglass

Not sure what that has to do with Boeing building a defective satellite that actually lasted longer than expected.

a reply to: OccamsRazor04

You seem to write that a beyond its years aged satellite is a routine story. It is when they can thrust into deep space or slow it for re-entry and burn up into earths atmosphere. This isn't a routine event

Obviously to move a satellite so abruptly they weighed the cost of the fine versus lawsuits from other satellite owners along with possibly of corrupting the entire near earth space for all for decades with debris and junk. That's the point of the thread along with another Boeing involvement as something malfunctioned and compromised the batteries.

NASA: Where Do Old Satellites Go When They Die?

a reply to: Waterglass

And what does DirectTV-3 have to do with Spaceway-1? It was placed into storage before Spaceway-1 was even launched.

a reply to: Zaphod58

You will have to explain as I don't understand your question.

AT&T satellite fleet

a reply to: Waterglass

You are confusing two different satellites. These are not events happening to 1 satellite, you are sourcing 2 different satellites and posting as if they are one.

a reply to: Waterglass

The fine that you linked was for a satellite that was decommissioned and moved to a parking orbit in 2002. The fine was levied in 2004. The satellite you're talking about in the OP was launched in 2005. They have nothing to do with each other.

a reply to: Zaphod58


Your right I am 100% wrong. Sheeeet. Please delete my comments. Both of you are correct I missed the -1 and -3 in the articles details. My brain misinterprets numbers at times. It does happen at times in my 2009 post stroke world. For some reason numbers mess with my brain. All my fault.

Sorry to all. Please delete all that are wrong. I cant edit at this time

a reply to: Waterglass

MODS This link in my post is my wrong. Please delete or edit it. Direct TV Sat -1 versus Direct TV Sat -3

a reply to: Waterglass

No big deal, we're people, not perfect.

originally posted by: scraedtosleep
a reply to: Waterglass

Has a satellite ever exploded in orbit before?
Has anything ever exploded within the area that satellites orbit?
What kind of damage would 1000's of pieces of this satellite zipping around earth moving faster than a bullet do to other satellites?

Umm...

originally posted by: CharlesT
It may have been struck by a micro-meteorite.

That happens more often than people know.

a reply to: tanstaafl

I didn't get that email. You could be right!