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May 20, 1998 The Galaxy IV satellite experienced an anomaly on May 19 at approximately 3:00 p.m. PDT causing the satellite to rotate. An investigation into the cause is underway. The satellite is owned by PanAmSat and was built by Hughes Space and Communications Company. Galaxy IV was launched in 1993. PanAmSat has deactivated the communications payload to conserve power. The satellite is in a stable, safe mode. PanAmSat is helping its customers with short-term restoration plans for their satellite transmission requirements. This is the first total spacecraft failure of any operational HS 601 satellite. The series was introduced in 1987. Since then 40 HS 601s have been built and launched. Hughes has launched a total of 167 satellites, beginning in 1963 with no previous operational failures. Hughes has more than 900 years of on-orbit experience, more than any other satellite manufacturer. Hughes commercial communications satellites have a 99% channel availability record--the best in the industry--and its satellites have met 150% of contracted service life, meaning that most have continued to provide service beyond their normal lifetimes. Hughes engineers will continue to work with PanAmSat to trace the cause of the problem.
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