Strange how some comments are able to get to the core of the story, while the article somehow does not:
> Satellites in geosynchronous orbit go through an annual eclipse season when the Earth passes between the Sun and the satellite. Currently, the satellite is drawing power directly from the solar arrays and is configured to avoid charging the battery.
> But when the eclipse comes, they'll have to discharge the battery to keep the satellite powered and under control. Charging or discharging the damaged battery risks causing a thermal runaway and an energetic breakup.
> That's why they want to get it up into the graveyard orbit before the eclipse, so if it explodes, it does so in a orbit where the debris are very unlikely to disrupt the operation of active satellites.
> Satellites in geosynchronous orbit go through an annual eclipse season when the Earth passes between the Sun and the satellite. Currently, the satellite is drawing power directly from the solar arrays and is configured to avoid charging the battery.
> But when the eclipse comes, they'll have to discharge the battery to keep the satellite powered and under control. Charging or discharging the damaged battery risks causing a thermal runaway and an energetic breakup.
> That's why they want to get it up into the graveyard orbit before the eclipse, so if it explodes, it does so in a orbit where the debris are very unlikely to disrupt the operation of active satellites.