Intelsat Seeks to Move Intelsat 9, Extend Its Lifespan Two Years

Intelsat wants to relocate its Intelsat 9 satellite and use it for two additional years. In an FCC International Bureau filing Friday, the satellite company asked for a modification of the Intelsat 9 authorization to let it relocate from 43.1 degrees west to 29.5 degrees west. It said the drift is expected to take about two months, with operations at 29.5 degrees west expected to start around May 1. Intelsat 9 would take the place of Intelsat 701, which is currently at 29.5 degrees west and is expected to de-orbit in Q2, Intelsat said. Intelsat 9's current license term is set to expire July 31 and the company said it wanted to extend that term through July 31, 2019.