Telenor de-orbits Thor II after 15 years’ service

Telenor Satellite Broadcasting has successfully de-orbited its Thor II satellite to a so-called ‘graveyard’ orbit.

In a six-day manoeuvre that was completed on January 10, Telenor Satellite moved the 15-year old satellite to an orbit 350km above its geosynchronous orbit, eliminating the risk of collision with operational spacecraft.

Thor II was the first communications satellite that Telenor Satellite specified, commissioned and launched. It was replaced by Thor 5 in 2008 but continued to offer services in inclined-orbit until late last year.