Satellite operator Intelsat has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Virginia. It says the step is designed to clear its balance sheet so it can participate in the US C-band spectrum auctions, scheduled for December. However, while that would help clear the band so that operators like Verizon can acquire important midband spectrum for 5G, it also adds a new dose of uncertainty to the fraught saga of the repurposing of some of the C-band for 5G. Intelsat is one of the satellite incumbents in that band. Under a hard-won FCC plan, the lower range will be repurposed for 5G and available at auction, while satellite players will move into a smaller amount of spectrum. They can claim additional…