After O3B communications satellites were launched in June 2013, it was reported some of the four satellits has expereinced “low voltage events” . A manufacturer’s alert from Thales Alenia Space clarified the situation noting that it was the O3B satellites’ digital timing unit – a component used to create timing signals to downlink satellite telemetry – subsequently caused the European Space Agency (ESA) delay the launch of its Gaia star-mapping satellite from November to late December at the earliest while the component was replaced.
In a separate event, the Israeli communications satellite AMOS 5 was revaled by its owner SpaceCom to have had another power systems anomaly which no threatens to shorten the life of the satellite. Having previously had two power glitches to both the main and secondary power supplies, it has been revealed that Power Supply No 2 has had another breakdown. The result is that now only two out of eight control thrusters on the spacecraft can be used which may reduce the lifespan of the spacecraft by at least 11 months. A claim for partial insurance loss is expected.
