Satellite operator Spacecom reported that it lost contact with the Israeli communications satellite Amos 5.
The company noted that customers are no longer receiving service. satellite operator Spacecom announced on Saturday.
Launched in 2011, Amos 5 is in geostationary orbit over Africa. Its coverage extends over Africa, Europe and the Middle East. It is regarded as playing a major role in Africa’s emerging satellite services market. In a report to investors and the Israel Stock Exchange, Spacecom, which owns the Amos 5, said it had no explanation for what specifically had caused it to lose contact with the satellite.
A mechanical failure, a short circuit, or being struck by a meteor or space junk are all possibilities. Spacecom, owned by the Eurocom Group, said it had been unable to reestablish contact with the satellite and had not yet isolated the cause of the problem. Loss of contact with Amos 5 means the loss of about a third of Spacecom’s revenue. Eurocom Group owns 64.5% of Spacecom.
The first four Amos satellites were built in Israel by the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), while Amos 5 satellite was built by the Russian manufacturer NPO PM. Amos 5, had an annual revenue of about US$40 million with value of between US$160 million and US$190 million. The loss comes as Eurocom is in the process of selling Spacecom, which has been valued at US$283.7 million.
