Intelsat Galaxy 15 On April 5, 2010, Intelsat announced that Galaxy 15 (a $250 million orbiting TV transmitter) ceased to respond to commands sent to it by ground control. Without the commands issued by ground control, the satellite began to drift from it's orbit. What makes this situation unique is that it's transponders (transmitters) continue to operate with no ability from the ground to shut them off. Researchers believe a solar activity from the sun knocked out it's communications and guidance electronics. As Galaxy 15 travels around the Earth, it has been wandering near other, working satellites. The broadcast companies have been scrambling to move their transmission to other working satellites that are not in the path of Galaxy 15. When Galaxy 15 passes near another, the transmissions get mixed up and interupts the single of the good, working satellite. The result, television customers will see random pixalizing. On August 15th, Galaxy 15 will be passing near the satellite of ESPN and Disney. Intelsat has created a web site with up-to-date information at Galaxy 15 Operational Status. Like the BP Gulf Oil mess, they've got a problem, they have no true solution, and they are trying everything they can think of to stop it.
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