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A back-up satellite that Space Systems/Loral (LOR) was building for Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (SIRI) has sustained significant damage in a manufacturing mishap that will delay its scheduled delivery beyond December and likely force the manufacturer to pay hefty penalties, SATELLITE TODAY Contributing Editor Paul Dykewicz has learned.
Engineers from Sirius and SS/L, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communica-tions (LOR), are inspecting the Sirius 4 satellite at SS/ L's plant in Palo Alto, Calif., but have yet to determine the full severity of the damage. However, repairs will be necessary to salvage the satellite, valued between $80-100 million, prominent industry engineers said.
Sirius 4 is intended to become the company's ground spare, but the unknown delay in its availability leaves Sirius vulnerable if any of its other three satellites suffer in-orbit or launch failures.
The system is designed to provide satellite radio service throughout the United States, using three satellites. Sirius 1 already has been launched successfully, while the launches of Sirius 2 and Sirius 3 are scheduled for Sept. 5 and in October, respectively.
"Our ground spare satellite was damaged by Loral during assembly," said Mindy Kramer, a Sirius spokeswoman. "Some components were damaged during the assembly process. But again, this is our ground spare. This will not impact the upcoming launches of...