SES To Begin Correction This Week of AMC-12's Slightly Off-Kilter Orbit

AMC-12 is operating slightly outside its assigned station-keeping volume, and SES Americom is asking for a bit of time to correct it. In an FCC International Bureau filing Friday, SES said AMC-12 -- while licensed to operate between 37.4 and 37.5 degrees west -- has been operating between 37.355 and 37.455 degrees west. The problem "seems to be the result of inaccurate range calibration data provided by the satellites' manufacturer related to the spacecraft's signal processing delay," SES said. The correction is to take place Friday through Monday, and SES said until the orbital correction is made, it needs special temporary authority to continue operating slightly outside its assigned station-keeping volume. SES said AMC-12's current location shouldn't cause any interference problems because the closest C-band satellite, Intelsat 903, is at 34.5 degrees west, about 2.9 degrees away.