[Satellite TODAY 05-18-10] SES World Skies will perform orbital maneuvers and shift from signals to keep cable programming broadcast by the AMC-11 satellite from being interrupted by Intelsat’s Galaxy 15 satellite, SES announced May 17.
     Galaxy 15 experienced an anomaly April 5 following a solar storm. The satellite remains operational, but Intelsat cannot control the spacecraft, which is drifting away from its orbital slot at 133 degrees West and east toward AMC-11, which is located at 131 degrees West. The two satellites operate on the same frequency, and Galaxy 15 could interrupt signals AMC 11 provides for the United States.
     Beginning May 25, SES plans to have AMC-11 match the eastward drift of Galaxy 15 in order to maintain a minimum separation between the two satellites. At the same time, SES will move its SES-1 satellite to the opposite side of Galaxy 15, and customers will either be able to maintain services on AMC-11 during its drift or repoint antennas to SES-1.
     SES estimates that the risk of interference will end June 7, when Galaxy 15 exits the orbital slot.
     "This extraordinary technical initiative underscores our commitment to finding innovative solutions to minimize the impact of an unexpected event like this on our customers," Alan Young, CTO for SES World Skies, said in a statement. "A team of our best engineers and scientists is working around the clock to ensure the success of this unprecedented mission."