If a satellite fell from the sky, would anyone notice?


In 10 countries in the South Pacific, they certainly did. According to an article from News Interactive, ten countries in the South Pacific are without general telephone and internet service until they are able to get their dishes re-pointed and service re-established through another carrier.

Left in the virtual dark are:

  • Pacific Island nations of Cook Islands
  • Western Samoa
  • Solomon Islands
  • Kiribati
  • Niue
  • Vanuatu
  • Tokelau
  • Tuvalu
  • Tonga
  • American Samoa

The satellite in question (Intelsat IS-804), appears to have lost power, making the US$73M satellite built in 1997 a potential target for practice with future space-based weapons.

Thankfully, Intelsat has updated their coverage maps, so you don't have to look at IS-804 any more...