The nine high-powered Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) spacecraft of the Intelsat 7/7A
program, which provide global dissemination of voice, video, and data transmission
services, have been launched and are in orbit.
The Intelsat 7 communications payload architecture evolved from SS/L's Intelsat-5 series and consists of two independent communications
subsystems, which can be cross-strapped and operate at C-band (4/6 GHz) and Ku-band (11/14
GHz). Total end-of-life solar array transmitter power generated by an Intelsat 7 is 3600
watts.
The Intelsat 7 spacecraft are based on SS/L's three-axis, body-stabilized SSL-1300 bus, whose modular design has proven its
worth during some 290 years of cumulative on-orbit service, close to one-half of the total
of 650 years amassed by SS/L satellites to date.
Intelsat 7 spacecraft were launched on Ariane-44LP H10, Ariane-44LP H10+, Ariane-44P H10-3 and Atlas-2AS vehicles.
SS/L's team members for the successful Intelsat 7 programs were Aerospatiale and
Alcatel Telcom of France, Alenia, Italy, and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) and
NEC of Japan.
Intelsat 702 was retired in 2016 and was moved into a graveyard orbit above the geostationary belt.
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