PT Jasindo agrees to compensate Satelindo
PT Jasindo agrees to compensate Satelindo
JAKARTA (JP): PT Jasindo, the state company which insured Indonesia's Palapa-C1 communication satellite, says it is prepared to pay out PT Satelindo, the owner, due to the malfunctioning of four transponders in the satellite.
Jasindo stated that it was formally informed on Feb. 23 of an anomaly in the Palapa-C1's battery discharge controller, which could cause four Ku-band transponders to malfunction during eclipses.
Palapa-C1 was launched from Cape Canaveral, the United States, on Jan. 31. Satelindo received a report of the anomaly on Feb. 13.
The 34-transponder satellite is now undergoing a 14-day orbit test. It is scheduled to enter its orbit at 113 degrees east longitude later this month.
Jasindo, in cooperation with PT Citra International Underwriter and 17 other domestic and foreign insurance companies, insured Palapa-C1 for US$164.88 million, covering it from the time of lift-off to the end of the satellite's operating period.
Palapa-C1, manufactured by Hughes Space and Communications Corp. of the U.S., is the HS-601 model of body-stabilized satellite. It has a lifespan of 13 years, 24 C-band, six extended C-band and four Ku-band transponders.
Satelindo, which has estimated that each of the Ku-band transponders is worth $799,000 in revenues a year, is hoping for further reports this week from Hughes concerning the problem.
The Jasindo statement, signed by operational director Mustafa Ashari, states Jasindo is making preparations for possible claims. It has appointed a team to handle the matter and has prepared all the documents and contracts which might be used as reference in processing the claims.
Jasindo has also informed the reinsurers, coinsurers and other participating firms in Palapa-C1's insurance, including the London and New York-based C.T. Bowring/Marsh & Mc Lennan, about the possible claims.
Jasindo has handled, or at least taken part, in insuring virtually all of Indonesia's satellite communications.
Twelve years ago, it paid the state-owned domestic telecommunications firm Perumtel (now PT Telkom) for the loss of Palapa-B2. The satellite failed to reach its proper orbit due to failure of the perigee kick motor after it was released from the Columbia space shuttle.
The satellite was later found and brought back to earth. Jasindo, which became the rightful owner of the Palapa-B2 because it had paid out the insurance claim, sold it back to Perumtel. (icn)