Technical Information/Satellites: The INTELSAT 7 Satellites

Intelsat 7 Series (701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706A, 707A, 709,)
(to Western Hemisphere, Eastern Hemisphere, Footprints by Dish Size)

This page was originally on the Intelsat website however they scrapped it when
they made their current website so I have reproduced it for your research convenience.

The INTELSAT 7 Satellites

Launch of the INTELSAT VII/VII-A series has been completed. Except for INTELSAT 708, all INTELSAT spacecraft were launched successfully. As of 1 June 1998, Four INTELSAT VII-VII/A satellites are in service in the Atlantic Ocean Region (AOR), one in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), and two in the Pacific Ocean Region (POR). The INTELSAT VII-VII/A spacecraft are in service at the following locations:

	INTELSAT 701 @ 180°E	POR
	INTELSAT 702 @ 177°E	POR
	INTELSAT 704 @ 66°E	IOR
	INTELSAT 705 @ 342°E	AOR
	INTELSAT 706 @ 307°E	AOR
	INTELSAT 707 @ 359°E	AOR
	INTELSAT 709 @ 310°E	AOR

Capacity

INTELSAT VII: 18,000 two-way telephone circuits and three TV channels; up to 90,000 two-way telephone circuits with the use of digital circuit multiplication equipment (DCME).

INTELSAT VII-A: 22,500 two-way telephone circuits and three TV channels; up to 112,500 two-way telephone circuits with the use of DCME.

Lifetime

10-15 years, depending on the launch vehicle.

Launch Vehicles
Arianespace	Ariane 44LP, Ariane 44P
Martin Marietta Commercial Launch Services	Atlas II AS
China Great Wall Industry Corporation	Long March 3B

Launches
Spacecraft	Launch Vehicle	Launch Date	Launch Result
701	Ariane 44 LP	22 October 1993	Success
702	Ariane 44 LP	17 June 1994	Success
704	Atlas II AS	10 January 1995	Success
705	Atlas II AS	22 March 1995	Success
706	Ariane 44 LP	17 May 1995	Success
707	Ariane 44 P	14 March 1996	Success
708	Long March 3B	14 February 1996	Launch Vehicle Failure
709	Ariane 44 P	15 June 1996	Success

Capabilities
Transponders	INTELSAT VII	INTELSAT VII/A
C-band Transponders	26	26
Ku-band Transponders	10	14
Total	36	40

The INTELSAT VII/VII-A series of satellites are a powerful, versatile fleet of spacecraft that are deployed in all INTELSAT service areas. Design of the series focused on the special requirements of the Pacific Ocean Region, but the satellites have unique features facilitating operation in the other ocean regions as well. Optimization for operation with smaller earth stations, efficient use of capacity, and digital operation were key goals in development of the series. Other enhancements incorporated in the design include: command security; improved reliability; and improved ability to operate in inclined orbit.

One of the most important new features to be introduced with the INTELSAT VII/VII-A satellites is the real-time ability to reconfigure the satellite's coverage capabilities in-orbit, in response to changing traffic patterns and service requirements.

Three independently steerable, high powered, Ku-band spot beams offering a total of ten transponders that can be individually assigned on an as needed basis.
An independently steerable C-band spot beam capable of switching up to six global transponders to dual polarized, independently steerable C-band spot coverage.
Switchable C-band zone coverage permitting assignment of capacity for coverage of Northwest or Southeast areas and Northeast or Southwest areas.