5.25.10 Orbitel Engineers Resolve Many Issues of ‘Drifting’ Satellite
Orbitel engineers have succeeded in resolving many of the potential channel difficulties resulting from the drifting satellite in space, said Orbitel President and CEO Keith Kirkman. “We are down to only six channels which might, and I stress might, be impacted for only brief periods of time now through June 7th.”
Kirkman said Orbitel customers might experience brief periods of pixilation or channel interruptions on six channels: 2 C-SPAN, 43 Hallmark, 47 Fit TV, 50 Weather Channel, 179 Lifetime Real Women, and 980 Lifetime Movies HD. “All the rest of our 288 channels are not affected,” he added.
Orbitel Vice President of Engineering and Technical Services Jerome Erickson said the industry has been working to resolve the effects of this straying satellite. “And we at Orbitel have been working, too. I still want to solve issues on those remaining six channels.”
The interruption potential is being caused by a satellite out of control in space which is drifting into the area where other satellites exist that provide programming to cable programmers across the country.
Orbitel will continue to issue updated emails to all subscribers and post news stories on its website, OrbitelCom.com. 
