[Satellite Today 06-10-09] TerreStar Networks Inc. has pushed the launch of the TerreStar-1 satellite from late June into early July to perform further testing of the S-band payload, the company announced June 8.
    The launch aboard an Ariane 5 rocket has been scheduled for June 24, but TerreStar requested “additional time to ensure that an on-orbit anomaly that occurred recently on another operator’s satellite has no bearing on the flight worthiness of TerreStar-1,” the company said.
    Solaris Mobile, a joint venture of Eutelsat and SES Astra, is evaluating the S-band payload on the W2A satellite, which was launched in April, after testing found an anomaly. Additional analysis is being performed with prime contractor Thales Alenia Space to assess the extent of the S-band payload’s capability to provide services.
    "While our vendors have assured us that TerreStar-1 is ready to launch, we believe this short delay may provide a window for additional data to verify that TerreStar-1, including its 18-meter reflector, is unaffected by the anomaly reported by another operator’s S-band satellite," Dennis Matheson, CTO of TerreStar, said in a statement. Arianespace, TerreStar-1’s launch services provider, has agreed to the new launch date that will fall between July 7 and July 12.
    The launch date must be approved by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), but no change to the Aug. 30 FCC/Industry Canada operational milestone is necessary, TerreStar said.