Intelsat 27 (IS 27)

Intelsat 22 [Boeing BSS]
Intelsat 27 similar

Intelsat S.A. announced in August 2010, that it has commenced construction of the Intelsat 27 satellite (IS-27). IS-27 was ordered in 2009 as an then unassigned satellite in a four satellite package. IS-27 had a hybrid C- and Ku-band design for media and network customers and was augmented with a 20 × 25 kHz channel UHF payload for use in government applications. IS-27 was to be placed in the Atlantic Ocean Region as a replacement for the Intelsat 805 satellite.

The IS-27 UHF hosted payload provides capability to complement the existing UFO (UHF Follow-On) and future MUOS (Multi-User Objective System) satellites. The payload supports DAMA and IW operations, and is digitally tunable and completely interoperable with existing terminals. The IS-27 UHF payload will be functionally equivalent to the Navy’s UFO-11 satellite.

The payload was powered by two solar wings, each with three panels of ultra triple-junction gallium arsenide solar cells.

Intelsat signed an agreement with Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems for manufacturing of IS-27 in August 2010. Intelsat authorized Boeing to proceed with the UHF hosted payload in the second quarter of 2010 for long-lead construction in order to meet a launch date in 2012.

In March 2010, the Navy submitted a UHF augmentation plan to Congress. A commercially hosted UHF payload was one of the solutions described to mitigate the shortfall in UHF capability. On 10 May 2010, SPAWAR issued a Sources Sought notice to industry requesting solutions for UHF augmentation. The government of Italy has agreed in October 2012 to assume control of the UHF-band military payload following Intelsat’s failure to enlist U.S. Defense Department interest.

The satellite was lost in a launch failure in January 2013. It will be replaced by Intelsat 34.