SEAL BEACH, Calif., March 21, 2002 – The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-I (TDRS-I), built by Boeing Satellite Systems for NASA, was launched at 5:59 p.m. EST March 8 aboard an Atlas IIA rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla. Subsequently, Boeing detected a problem with the supply of propellant from one of the satelliteÕs four tanks. NASA was immediately notified.
Boeing has been conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the anomaly and has developed and is implementing procedures to get the satellite to its operational geosynchronous orbital position in order to meet established mission requirements and hand over the satellite in accordance with the customerÕs operational need date. The satelliteÕs current orbit apogee is 35,800 kilometers (22,236 miles) and the perigee is approximately 8,000 kilometers (4,970 miles). Boeing is continuing successful orbit-raising maneuvers and has high confidence that it can resolve this anomaly.
BoeingÕs Mission Control Center is operating the satellite in close coordination with NASA.
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Media points of contact:
George Torres
310-364-5777
george.torres@boeing.com
Anne Eisele
562-797-1022
anne.f.eisele@boeing.com