Intelsat Seeks Authority for In-orbit Testing of HTS 29e

With its 29e scheduled for a Jan. 27 launch, Intelsat is seeking FCC special temporary authority to do in-orbit testing (IOT) of the satellite while it's at 49.7 degrees west and then to drift it to its permanent location of 50 degrees west. Intelsat said in an International Bureau filing Friday it has wrapped up coordination talks with Dish Network, Hispasat and Inmarsat, which have co-frequency, co-coverage satellites within six degrees of 49.7 degrees west, and is in coordination talks with SES World Skies. The IOT is to run Feb. 8-April 7, Intelsat said. The 29e will be the first satellite of the company's high-throughput EpicNG constellation (see 1512110038).