A technical anomaly caused Canadian satellite operator Telesat’s Anik F2 communications satellite to experience a temporary loss of service on 6 October.
The following day, the group announced that it had been able to restore customer services on the…
A technical anomaly caused Canadian satellite operator Telesat’s Anik F2 communications satellite to experience a temporary loss of service on 6 October.
The following day, the group announced that it had been able to restore customer services on the bird, which was built by US manufacturer Boeing, after what it described as a “highly unusual” error.
“This particular anomaly was the result of a software error encountered during a routine manoeuvre which triggered the satellite to place itself into a safe mode, shutting itself down and pointing itself at the sun to ensure it remained powered,” the company stated.
“The software error that led to the anomaly appears to have been caused by a software update that was recently provided by the satellite manufacturer. That particular software update was not re-loaded onto the satellite.”
Telesat’s anomaly temporarily disrupted a variety of communications services in North America, including those of local satellite broadband operator WildBlue.
Anik F2 was launched in 2004 by French launch provider Arianespace to 111.1W, where it continues to provide satellite broadband services.