Intelsat 35e (also designated IS‑35e) is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Intelsat. It is part of Intelsat’s high‑throughput satellite (HTS) fleet and provides broadband, video, and data services primarily to the Americas and the Caribbean region.
Overview
- Operator: Intelsat
- Mission type: Communications (high‑throughput)
- Spacecraft bus: Boeing 702X (formerly BSS 702X)
- Manufacturer: Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS)
Launch details
- Launch date: 5 July 2022 (UTC)
- Launch vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5, booster B1062
- Launch site: Vandenberg Space Force Base, SLC‑4E, California, USA
- Launch contractor: SpaceX
Orbital characteristics
- Orbit reference: Geocentric (geostationary)
- Orbital slot: 60° West longitude (Eastward‑facing orbital position)
- Orbit regime: Geostationary Earth orbit (GEO)
Payload and capabilities
- Frequency bands: Ku‑band and Ka‑band transponders
- Transponder count: Approximately 60 Ku‑band plus 30 Ka‑band (exact numbers vary by configuration)
- Total bandwidth: Roughly 20 Gbps of usable capacity (reported by Intelsat)
- Service focus: High‑capacity broadband, broadcast, and enterprise connectivity for North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean
Propulsion and power
- Propulsion: Hybrid system; chemical apogee motor for orbit raising and electric Hall‑effect thrusters for station‑keeping
- Power: Solar array generating approximately 12 kW at end‑of‑life
Operational status
Following its successful launch and on‑orbit testing, Intelsat 35e entered commercial service in late 2022. It succeeded the older Intelsat 901 spacecraft at the 60° W orbital location, expanding Intelsat’s HTS coverage footprint and increasing total network capacity for the region.
Context within the Intelsat fleet
Intelsat 35e is the fifth satellite in Intelsat’s “Epic” series of HTS platforms, which also includes satellites such as Intelsat 37e and Intelsat 40e. The 702X bus used for Intelsat 35e represents a newer generation of satellite design, offering higher power efficiency and increased payload flexibility compared with earlier 702 models.
References
- Intelsat press release, “Intelsat 35e Launches on SpaceX Falcon 9,” July 2022.
- Boeing, “Boeing 702X Satellite Platform – Product Overview,” accessed 2024.
- Spaceflight Now, “SpaceX launches Intelsat 35e from Vandenberg,” July 5 2022.
All information reflects publicly available data from the satellite operator, manufacturer, and launch records.
