The cause of the forced retirement of Intelsat 29e has been found and it was not what was originally thought. Intelsat 29e suffered a power failure and loss of control of the satellite on 7 April due to what was assumed to be a propellant leak or thruster issue. However, a later investigation came to the conclusion that a micro-meteoroid impact caused mechanical or ESD (electrostatic discharge) damage to the electrical harness, or that a solar induced ESD coupled with a “harness flaw” resulted in an “undervolt” condition cutting the power. The spacecraft then lost Earth lock and fell into a tumble, entering a protective safe mode as it did so.
Artist’s impression of Intelsat 29e. Courtesy: Boeing
Customers were relocated to other satellites and the spacecraft was retired on 22 April as it was deemed to be irrecoverable. This satellite did not carry insurance cover after its first year in orbit so no claim could be made.
