Measat-3 ‘ran out of fuel’
August 13, 2021
By Chris Forrester
The decision to place failed satellite Measat-3 into a graveyard orbit seems inevitable given that sources suggest the spacecraft ran out of its essential station-keeping fuel.
Insurance experts say the in-orbit failure will result in an insurance claim of some $45 million. Measat, and the satellite’s builder Boeing, are still investigating the failure which first manifested itself back on June 21st.
Measat is understood to have anticipated another two years of operations and while there was sufficient fuel to send the drifting satellite to a graveyard orbit, there was insufficient fuel to permit its broadcast and telecoms services.
Measat is replacing the lost satellite with Measat-3d now being built by Airbus, with a launch planned for early 2022.