Brasilsat A1, a Boeing 376 satellite launched on Feb. 8, 1985, was retired in March 2002 after serving for more than 17 years, more than twice its eight-year contract life. The Boeing 376 is built by Boeing Satellite Systems. The spacecraft model has a perfect on-orbit record. To date 56 Boeing 376 satellites have been launched, and so far 31 of them - 55 percent - have outlasted their contract life.