# Intelsat 7

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q1557814](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1557814)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelsat_7)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intelsat-7

## Summary
Intelsat 7 was a communications satellite operated by Intelsat, also known by the aliases PAS-7, IS-7, and PANAMSAT 7. Manufactured by Lanteris Space Systems, it was launched on September 16, 1998, aboard an Ariane 44LP rocket from the ELA-2 launch site. The satellite remained operational until 2016.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Communications satellite (Instance of).
- **Operator:** Intelsat.
- **Launch Date:** September 16, 1998.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Ariane 44LP.
- **Launch Site:** ELA-2.
- **Launch Contractor:** Arianespace.
- **Manufacturer:** Lanteris Space Systems.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1998-052A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 25473.
- **End of Service:** 2016.
- **Aliases:** PAS-7, IS-7, PANAMSAT 7.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Intelsat 7 launched?
A: Intelsat 7 was launched on September 16, 1998.

### Q: Who manufactured and operated Intelsat 7?
A: The satellite was manufactured by Lanteris Space Systems and operated by Intelsat.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Intelsat 7?
A: Intelsat 7 was launched using an Ariane 44LP rocket, provided by the launch contractor Arianespace.

## Why It Matters
Intelsat 7 represents a specific era of geostationary communications infrastructure deployed in the late 1990s. As a product of Lanteris Space Systems and a payload for the Ariane 44LP, it illustrates the collaborative nature of the global space industry, involving manufacturers and launch providers across different entities to expand telecommunications networks. The satellite's multiple aliases—PAS-7, IS-7, and PANAMSAT 7—reflect the complex history of satellite fleet ownership and consolidation, specifically regarding the relationship between PanAmSat and Intelsat. Its operational life, spanning from 1998 to 2016, highlights the typical lifespan of such hardware in maintaining global connectivity.

## Notable For
- Being identified by multiple aliases, including PANAMSAT 7 and PAS-7, indicating its role within the PanAmSat fleet prior to or during Intelsat's operations.
- Launching aboard the Ariane 44LP, a specific variant of the Ariane 4 series rocket.
- Utilizing the ELA-2 (Ensemble de Lancement 2) launch complex for its deployment.
- An 18-year operational lifecycle concluding in 2016.

## Body

### Launch and Deployment
Intelsat 7 was successfully launched on **September 16, 1998**. The mission utilized the **Ariane 44LP** rocket, a configuration of the Ariane 4 series. The launch took place at **ELA-2**, a launch pad located at the Guiana Space Centre. **Arianespace** served as the launch contractor for the mission. The launch event is recorded as a significant rocket launch event in global space logs.

### Technical Specifications and Identity
The satellite is classified as a **communications satellite** designed for telecommunications purposes. It was assigned the COSPAR ID **1998-052A** and the Satellite Catalog Number **25473**. The prime manufacturer for the satellite was **Lanteris Space Systems**.

### Operational History
Throughout its service life, the satellite was operated by **Intelsat**. It is referenced in knowledge bases by several identifiers, including the aliases **PAS-7**, **IS-7**, and **PANAMSAT 7**. The satellite remained in service until **2016**, at which point it was decommissioned or retired.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report