 Image Credit: L. J. Lanzerotti, Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies, Inc. | On January 20-21, 1994 Canadian television, radio, telephone and scientific operations were interrupted when two communications satellites (Anik E-1 and Anik E-2) experienced operational problems, within a days time of each other, after being submersed in a cloud of high velocity electrons. The momentum wheel control circuitry in both satellites was affected. It took Telesat Canada operators 8 hours to regain control of Anik E-1 and many months to regain control of Anik E-2. The root of the problem has been traced back to deep dielectric discharges within the spacecraft circuitry after many days of being bombarded by dangerous levels of high speed electrons. |
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