Due to a recent change in the health of the MARISAT-F2 Telemetry and Command subsystem Intelsat General has determined that they can no longer safely operate the satellite through 2010 as previously hoped.

Continued operation of the satellite risks potential loss of positive control resulting in interference to other satellite systems and a physical hazard to operating satellites.

Intelsat General has decided to de-orbit and decommission MARISAT-F2 at the end of the current option year ending 29 November 2008. In the event of a further degradation of the sub-system they may be forced to de-orbit earlier.? De-orbit manoeuvres are being planned to begin 30 November 2008.?