Intelsat Planning May 15 Launch of 35e

With Intelsat 35e scheduled for a May 15 launch, the company is seeking permission for in-orbit testing and the satellite's drift to its permanent home at 34.5 degrees west. In an FCC International Bureau filing Tuesday for special temporary authority, the company said the testing should last 45 days and the drift from 33 degrees west would take five. It said it's working on coordination now with multiple operators of satellites that will be within six degrees of the in-orbit testing location and that it expects to finish those discussions before testing starts.