Intelsat Americas-8 (IA-8), a high-power satellite built for by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), was successfully launched on a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket from the Odyssey Launch Platform, positioned on the equator in the Pacific Ocean. The IA-8 satellite carries 28 C-band and 36 Ku-band transponders, as well as 24 Ka-band spot beams and will have total end-of-life power of 16 Kw — making it one of the most powerful communications satellites to date. The satellite will provide coverage of North and South America, Alaska, Hawaii and the Caribbean from its orbital slot at 89 degrees West longitude.
IA-8 will be the fifth Intelsat satellite in the North American arc and the 28th satellite in Intelsat’s global fleet.
IA-8 is the thirty-second satellite built by SS/L for Intelsat, including all of the recently launched Intelsat IX series of satellites. In addition, SS/L is currently building the Intelsat Americas-9 satellite, which will further expand the operator’s coverage and services in North America.
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