Further tests are to be carried out on the S-band payload of the Eutelsat W2A satellite after the discovery of a potential anomaly.
In a statement Dublin-based Solaris Mobile, owned jointly by SES and Eutelsat, said additional analysis was planned with the satellite’s prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space, in order to “identify the cause of the anomaly and fully to assess the extent of the S-band payload’s capability to provide mobile satellite services to the European marketplace”.
The company said it remained confident of its ability to meet the commitments made under the European Selection and Authorisation Process. Solaris said it would be evaluating a range of options to deal with the situation.
Separately,The European Commission has confirmed both Solaris and Inmarsat as operators of Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) systems under the co-ordinated European S-Band Application Process.