Intelsat-8 (801, 802, 803, 804) / NSS 803 → NSS 5

Intelsat-8 [Lockheed Martin]

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.