Roles and service utilization of the INTELSAT IX and K-TV satellites

This paper presents the projected roles and service utilization of the INTELSAT IX and K-TV satellites in the INTELSAT system. It provides a brief description of the spacecraft performance and capabilities to show the special features of the INTELSAT IX and K-TV communications payload. In January 1997, INTELSAT signed a contract with Matra Marconi Space for the procurement of one INTELSAT K-TV spacecraft to operate at the 95°E orbital location. The INTELSAT K-TV contract includes options for procurement of additional K-TV spacecraft which could either be collocated at 95°E or be deployed to another orbital location. Subsequently, in March 1997, INTELSAT signed a contract with Space Systems Loral for the procurement of two INTELSAT IX spacecraft to replace the two INTELSAT VI satellites currently operating at the 60°E and 62°E orbital locations. The INTELSAT IX contract includes options for procurement of additional INTELSAT IX´s which could replace the remaining three INTELSAT VI satellites in the INTELSAT system