Intelsat Plans To Move 1R Slightly and Considers Extending Its Life Through 2023

Intelsat hopes to slightly move its Intelsat 1R satellite from 50 to 50.1 degrees west, and to extend its license term and existing waivers for more than seven years, the company said in an FCC International Bureau filing Friday. The relocation is to make way for Intelsat 29e, which launched Jan. 27 and is expected to arrive at 50 degrees west at month's end, it said. Intelsat said it expects to begin drifting 1R in June or July and have it at 50.1 degrees west within days, where it will nominally colocate with 29e. Intelsat 1R launched in November 2000, with its current license term set to expire on June 24, the company said. The satellite's expected lifespan is estimated to run to August 2018, though it could be extended five additional years in an inclined orbit operation. To accommodate the possibility of an inclined orbit position, Intelsat said it also would like the license term extended through Aug. 31, 2023.