Intelsat 7
{{Short description|Communications satellite}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = Intelsat 7
| names_list = IS-7
PANAMSAT 7
Panamsat 7
| image =
| image_caption =
| image_size = 300px
| mission_type = Communications
| operator = PanAmSat (1998-2006) / Intelsat (2006-2016)
| COSPAR_ID = 1998-052A
| SATCAT = 25473
| website = http://www.intelsat.com
| mission_duration = 15 years (planned)
18 years (achieved)
| spacecraft =
| spacecraft_type = SSL 1300
| spacecraft_bus = LS-1300
| manufacturer = Space Systems/Loral
| launch_mass = {{cvt|3833|kg}}
| dry_mass = {{cvt|2118|kg}}
| dimensions =
| power =
| launch_date = 16 September 1998, 06:31 UTC
| launch_rocket = Ariane 44LP H10-3 (V110)
| launch_site = Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
| launch_contractor = Arianespace
| entered_service = November 1998
| disposal_type = Graveyard orbit
| deactivated = 2016
| last_contact =
| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit{{cite web|url=http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=25473|title=Intelsat 7 (PAS 7)|publisher=N2YO.com|access-date=14 April 2021}}
| orbit_regime = Geostationary orbit
| orbit_longitude = 18° West
| apsis = gee
| trans_band = 44 transponders:
14 C-band at 50 watts
30 Ku-band at 100 watts
| trans_frequency =
| trans_bandwidth =
| trans_capacity =
| trans_coverage = Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia
| programme = PanAmSat constellation
| previous_mission = PAS-5
| next_mission = PAS-8
}}
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.
Satellite description
PAS-7 was constructed by Space Systems/Loral, based on the LS-1300 satellite bus. It had a mass at launch of {{cvt|3833|kg}}. 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.{{cite web |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/pas-7.htm|title=PAS 7 → Intelsat 7|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|date=11 December 2017|access-date=14 April 2021}}
Launch
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.
Decommissioning
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.
References
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{{Orbital launches in 1998}}
Category:Communications satellites in geostationary orbit
Category:Satellites using the SSL 1300 bus