Intelsat 7, formerly PAS-7, was a communications satellite operated by Intelsat which spent most of its operational life serving the Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia market from a longitude of 18° West.

Intelsat 7
NamesIS-7
PANAMSAT 7
Panamsat 7
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorPanAmSat (1998-2006) / Intelsat (2006-2016)
COSPAR ID1998-052A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.25473
Websitehttp://www.intelsat.com
Mission duration15 years (planned)
18 years (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeSSL 1300
BusLS-1300
ManufacturerSpace Systems/Loral
Launch mass3,833 kg (8,450 lb)
Dry mass2,118 kg (4,669 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date16 September 1998, 06:31 UTC
RocketAriane 44LP H10-3 (V110)
Launch siteCentre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
ContractorArianespace
Entered serviceNovember 1998
End of mission
DisposalGraveyard orbit
Deactivated2016
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[1]
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude18° West
Transponders
Band44 transponders:
14 C-band at 50 watts
30 Ku-band at 100 watts
Coverage areaEurope, Africa, Middle East, Asia
← PAS-5
PAS-8 →

Satellite description

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PAS-7 was constructed by Space Systems/Loral, based on the LS-1300 satellite bus. It had a mass at launch of 3,833 kg (8,450 lb). Designed for an operational life of 15 years, the spacecraft was equipped with 14 C-band at 50 watts and 30 Ku-band at 100 watts transponders.[2]

Launch

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Arianespace launched PAS-7, using an Ariane 4 launch vehicle, flight number V98, in the Ariane 44LP H10-3 configuration. The launch took place from ELA-2 at the Centre Spatial Guyanais, at Kourou in French Guiana, on 16 September 1998, at 06:31 UTC.[2]

Decommissioning

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PAS-7 experienced a sudden reduction of approximately 25% of its power capacity because a technical difficulty with one of the satellite's solar panels. The incident took place on 6 September 2001 when the satellite came out of solar eclipse. Services for all customers have not been affected. The satellite was retired in 2016 and was moved into a graveyard orbit.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Intelsat 7 (PAS 7)". N2YO.com. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "PAS 7 → Intelsat 7". Gunter's Space Page. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2021.