The explosion of a satellite of this size could create thousands of debris that would destroy other satellites.
Ο American telecommunications provider DirecTV will urgently remove one of them satellites from its geostatic orbit, at an altitude of about 36.000 km, as due to a problem in its batteries there is a risk of explodes.
The satellite Spaceway 1 went into orbit in April 2005 and weighs about 3.700 kilograms, according to its manufacturer. Together with its solar panels, it is 41 meters long and 7 meters wide.
DirecTV informed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on January 19 that a problem had caused "severe and irreversible thermal damage" to Spaceway 1 batteries.
«There is a serious risk of the batteries explodingWrites the DirecTV. From February 25, the satellite will be in the shadow of the Earth and the batteries will be in the process of recharging, which could cause an explosion.
The company therefore wants to remove the satellite from orbit as soon as possible. "cemetery, As it is called, 300 km higher than the geostationary orbit where there are hundreds of telecommunications satellites.
In order to reduce the risk of an accidental explosion, DirecTV will empty some of the 73 kilos of fuel it carries into space, but the company has warned that it will not have time to empty all the cargo.
The explosion of a satellite of this size could create thousands of debris that would destroy other satellites.
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