"In case anyone is wondering, the B1 SPC was fully tested and passed and its expected to last for 18 months, which is more than enough time for the D1 to replace the B1."<br /><br />NO ONE can say that the current SCP on BI will last 18 months -no way can anyone say that it will even last until the weekend. Hughes reckoned that if a satellite lasted for more that 6 years without an SCP failure then the probability analysis says it will not have any SCP failures at all. B1 was 9 years old when the primary SCP failed - ang goes that theory.<br /><br />HOW OLD IS B3 ? Oh dear, keep those fingers and toes and any other appendages you can think of crossed.<br /><br />On the subject of Tarbs not being able to pay the money - that is quite probably true. What you have to know is WHY they could not pay the money due and on time. Could it be that the terms of the arrangement with Panamsat was changed ? New company owners, new policies, vested intrest ? <br />Tarbs was reportedly within 10,000 subsciptions of breaking even. Solution from News Corp - kill the opposition and have it all to yourself. <br />Love conspiracy theories........