"Rising Claims: Space Insurers Prepare for Propulsion Issues on Four GEO Satellites"
Insurers are bracing for more claims as four satellites, including Yahsat's Al Yah 3, Avanti Communications' Hylas 4, and Northrop Grumman's two Mission Extension Vehicles (MEV-1 and MEV-2), experience propulsion problems due to issues with their onboard Power Processing Units (PPUs). The PPUs, provided by Aerojet Rocketdyne, supply electrical power to the thrusters needed for station-keeping in geostationary orbit (GEO). The workaround of reducing voltage to the remaining PPUs has prevented complete failure but will impact the satellites' design life. Insurers are already facing over $800 million in losses this year, and the propulsion issues are expected to result in at least $50 million in additional claims.