The Intelsat VIII-VIII/A series has been designed to meet the needs of Intelsat users
throughout the system for improved C-band coverage and service. These spacecraft will
incorporate six-fold C-band frequency reuse, two-fold frequency reuse of expanded C-band
capacity, and the highest C-band power level ever for an Intelsat satellite. Consequently,
Intelsat VIII will provide significantly more C-band capacity for public switched
telephony and Intelsat Business Service, better quality for video services, and encourage
new international VSAT applications.
Other salient features of Intelsat VIII satellites include:
- Two independently steerable Ku-band spot beams which can be pointed anywhere on the
surface of the earth that is visible from the spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit.
- Interconnected operation between C- and Ku-bands.
- Expanded SNG (satellite news gathering) service provided by the capability to connect
spot beams to global beams, including a return path for small Ku-band transportable SNG
stations for voice/data communications.
Intelsat 804 suffered a total loss on 15. January 2005 due to a major power system anomaly.
Intelsat 803 was later spun off to New Skies and operated as NSS 803. Later it was renamed NSS 5. NSS 5 was moved in September 2012 to 50.5 degrees east to secure this orbital slot for Thai satellite operator Thaicom.
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