Earthfence Radar Observes Intelsat 29e Debris Field

DEEP RIVER, Ontario, April 19, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thoth Technology is using Earthfence deep space radar to observe the stricken spacecraft Intelsat 29e. Earthfence is the world’s first commercial radar service to monitor events in geostationary orbits and to report results to spacecraft operators and other interested parties.

Earthfence radar arc tracks of a debris field after the Intelsat 29e spacecraft anomaly are shown, April 18, 2019. A normal radar track of Intelsat 29e, January 12, 2019 (inset top) is shown for comparison. Earthfence ranges spacecraft up to 50,000 km from Earth locating them to within 25 meters.

“Our Earthfence radar observes a debris field orbiting in the previously recorded location of the Intelsat 29e spacecraft,” said Dr. Brendan Quine, Thoth’s CTO. “It is likely that the spacecraft has broken up into three or more smaller pieces.”

Intelsat 29e has been declared a total loss.

“Space Situational Awareness is critical to our national security and daily lives, and we are monitoring this significant event,” said Dr. Caroline Roberts, Thoth’s President and CEO.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/15dd3988-318f-463b-b6df-f0e3219a1a41

For further information please contact: Alison King, Media Director, [email protected]