INTELSAT VIII; INTELSAT´s next generation satellite

Summary form only given. The authors present a general overview of the design and key features of Intelsat´s next-generation satellite, INTELSAT VIII. INTELSAT VIII will provide both C-band and Ku-band services through a complex antenna system. The 3700-kg spacecraft is based on the GE Series 7000 platform currently in production and is expected to provide over 13 years of in-orbit operational services beginning in 1996. INTELSAT VIII will carry 6 Ku-band and 38 C-band interconnectable transponders designed to serve INTELSAT users in the Pacific, Indian or Atlantic Ocean regions. The 38 C-band transponders are divided among interconnectable global, hemi-zone, and zone beams with downlink effective isotropically radiated power (EIRP) ranging between 29 dBw and 36 dBw. An advanced sixfold frequency reuse C-band antenna maintains better than 29-dB isolation between the circularly polarized beams. The solid state C-band repeater uses GE Astro high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) low noise receivers with a 1.8 dB noise figure and commandable variable power solid state amplifiers. The six high power Ku-band transponders will provide a downlink EIRP of 47 dBw