The Fate of ABS-8

摘要

When the U.S. Congress shuttered the Ex-lm Bank in 2015, an untold number of commercial satellite orders stalled out or changed hands. ABS-8 was the first to publicly fall apart. After announcing the deal with Boeing that June, ABS rescinded its order six weeks later.The all-electric, tri-band satellite was to replace ABS-7, a now 17-year-old Lockheed Martin satellite that ABS bought from Korea Telecom in 2010. ABS is still in discussions with Boeing about building ABS-8, though ABS Chief Executive Tom Choi said he's also considering-competing offers. But in the 16 months since ABS canceled its order, the Bermuda-based operator has radically changed its future satellite plans.