A satellite owned by Bermuda-based Intelsat may have to change its orbital position to avoid a collision with an out-of-control communications satellite that is hurtling toward it.

The Astra 5A satellite, owned by Luxembourg-based SES, has been spinning out of control since an unexplained failure on January 15, according to the Space.com website.

SES has been unable to control Astra 5A, since the breakdown of its sun sensors, which allow the spacecraft to keep its solar panels facing the sun and to recharge its batteries. The satellite is now drifting eastward along an orbital arc occupied by several satellites in geostationary positions — that is, they are in an orbit travelling at the same speed as the Earth spins and thereby they remain parked over the same geographical area.

The first satellite that may in danger from the runaway spacecraft is Intelsat's Galaxy 11 satellite, but an Intelsat official told Space.com that early indications suggest it will not have to be moved. Analysis is ongoing on whether the Intelsat 802 spacecraft, at 32.9 degrees east, will need to perform a collision-avoidance manoeuvre, the Intelsat official said.

Astra 5A was not responding to commands from Earth, but an industry source said the craft did have enough fuel to put it into a safe, "graveyard" orbit, if control can be re-established.