Emergency scramble brings crippled China communications satellite under control

Engine failure sends high-orbit craft tumbling, wipes out US$36.4 million – nearly 30 per cent of China Satcom’s 2022 profits

Company tells investors the craft is stable but its broken thrusters cannot be repaired, shortening its lifespan

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The communications satellite ChinaSat 6C, launched in 2019 mainly to transmit television and radio broadcasts, is stable but cannot be repaired. Photo: Weibo

Published: 6:00pm, 27 Dec 2023

Engineers scrambled to regain control of one of China’s largest communications satellites after a catastrophic engine failure sent it tumbling wildly in its orbit more than 36,000km (22,370 miles) away from Earth.

State-owned China Satcom reported on Monday that “emergency response measures” were needed to bring the Zhongxing 6C satellite under control after it experienced an “attitude abnormality”. The satellite is now stable but cannot repaired, it said.

In a statement to investors, the company said the satellite is operating with broken chemical thrusters without replacements. “This leads to increased propellant consumption and the satellite’s remaining lifespan is anticipated to be reduced”.

The financial losses of the stricken craft – also known as ChinaSat 6C – are expected to reach 260 million yuan (US$36.4 million) – nearly 30 per cent of the company’s net profit in 2022, according to the statement.

The company said it has kicked off the insurance process with its main underwriter. Meanwhile, the satellite is operating in its normal work mode.

The five-tonne satellite has been broadcasting television and radio signals to China and other regions – including Southeast Asia, Australia and the South Pacific – since its launch in 2019.

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