Panamsat 6

PanAmSat-6 (PAS-6) provides quality digital television to customers in South America. The PAS-6 satellite features 36 Ku-band channels, with a total onboard satellite transmitter power greater than 3600 RF watts. The PAS-6/7/8 spacecraft are based on SS/L's three-axis, body-stabilized SSL-1300 bus. On 17 March 2004, PAS-6 suffered an anomaly resulting in a loss of power. Following that event, PanAmSat moved the satellite to a storage orbit while the company and SS/L evaluated the problem. On 1 April 2004, this satellite experienced another anomaly and a more significant loss of power. Neither of these losses was anticipated. The satellite was put in a graveyard orbit.