Intelsat Looks to Again Relocate Galaxy 11

Intelsat's Galaxy 11 could be on the move again, The company asked the FCC International Bureau for special temporary authority (STA) to drift it from 60.1 degrees east to 45 degrees east, operate it temporarily there, and then drift it to 44.9 degrees east for its final location. According to Intelsat's IB filing Thursday, the satellite -- licensed to permanently operate at 55.6 degrees west -- is expected to arrive at 45 degrees east in mid October, and once there pick up some of the traffic now carried by Intelsat 12. The company said it expects to file a permanent modification application to operate the satellite at 44.9 degrees east. Intelsat in February asked for STA to operate Galaxy 11 at 60.1 degrees east (see 1602110003) -- a request granted in May.