DirecTV Satellite in Danger of Exploding and Must Be Moved
- Fifteen-year-old satellite was used by AT&T entertainment unit
- Seeks permission from FCC to move device to ‘graveyard’ orbit
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A satellite operated by AT&T Inc.’s DirecTV unit is in danger of exploding and needs to be moved away from an orbital zone occupied by other big communications satellites.
There’s “a significant risk” that battery cells aboard Spaceway-1 could burst, DirecTV said in a filing with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission seeking permission to conduct an emergency operation to reduce risks of an accidental explosion.