SES, Alascom Seeking License Extension on AMC-8 Satellite

The AMC-8/Aurora III satellite has at least four-plus more years of operational life, SES Americom and Alascom said in an FCC International Bureau filing submitted Tuesday requesting an extension of the satellite's license term to June 30, 2020. The holders of a joint license on the satellite also requested authority to deorbit AMC-8 at the end of its life. The C-band satellite began operations in 2001 and is at 139 degrees west, and its current license term expires March 1. Apart from solar array circuit failures that have affected the power available to it, AMC-8's "overall health is good," SES and Alascom said.