Inmarsat has been forced to delay the launch of its third Global Xpress satellite, following the crash of a rocket operated by launch partner ILS.
A rocket carrying the Centenario satellite suffered a disabling anomaly during the third stage of the launch on Saturday, resulting in the loss of the satellite and rocket.
The scheduled launch of Inmarsat's third Global Xpress satellite will accordingly be delayed, Inmarsat CEO Rupert Pearce said.
“This is the third time our Global Xpress program has suffered launch delays because of Proton launch failures. Although in the past, Proton has returned to flight within a few months of a launch failure, it will not be possible to determine the length of the delay in the launch of I-5 F3 until the cause of the Centenario launch failure is established,” he said.
“Customers are understandably anxious to see the delivery of GX services on a global basis, and as soon as we have sufficient information to ascertain the new launch date for I-5 F3, we will make the information public, as well as comment further on the impact of the delayed launch of I-5 F3.”
A Russian state commission is investigating the failure, and ILS plans to form its own failure review oversight board to assist with the probe.
Pearce warned that Inmarsat expects the delayed launch to have a small negative effect on 2015 revenue and profit. The company has suspended its managed satellite services revenue guidance for the current year and the next as a result.