ProtoStar sale set for Oct 29
Chris Forrester
14-10-2009

Satellite operator ProtoStar is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is selling its two in-orbit satellites. Today (Oct 14) is the date when prospective bidders must formally express their interest in the first craft (ProtoStar-1), and the sale date is set for Oct 29 in New York.

ProtoStar-2 is also up for sale but the auctioneers say that this craft might delay its sale while a review is made of the results of the first sale. ProtoStar-2’s sale is also somewhat complicated by the fact that SES of Luxembourg holds certain Ku-band transmission rights which have yet to be coordinated with ProtoStar. However ProtoStar-2 is already earning cash from the satellite, which was launched in May to 107.7 deg East, and with Ku and S-band payloads.

SES is seen as a prospective buyer of ProtoStar-2 (as is Eutelsat), and perhaps also the first satellite which was launched in July 2008. It may need to be moved to another position from its current 98.3 deg East slot.