AbstractDeveloped originally to meet increased demand forecast forC‐band capacity in the Pacific Ocean Region (POR), this latest generation of INTELSAT satellites is planned to be operated in a number of traditional and new roles. To date INTELSAT has bought four INTELSAT VIII spacecraft for Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Ocean regions and two modified VIII‐A to meet the specific Landmass requirements for the rapidly expanding Asia‐Pacific and pan‐American market. The VIII spacecraft, using Martin Marietta Astro Space's GS7000 bus has sufficient power and payload carrying capability that it can accommodate a wide variety of services. A new feature for INTELSAT is the inclusion of arcjet propulsion which has the potential for long lifetime while needing only half of the fuel requirement of conventional thrusters. This new high power satellite will form a key part of the INTELSAT global network through to the year 2010 and complement the INTELSAT VII and VIIA