The scheduled June 23 launch of the Intelsat Americas-8 (IA-8) satellite will mark a number of firsts for the global satellite operator and its manufacturer, Space Systems/Loral. Most importantly for Intelsat, the satellite will give the former international treaty organization, its first new satellite in North America and its first satellite equipped for Ka-band service.

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Paul Dykewicz is a seasoned journalist who has covered the development of satellite television, satellite radio, satellite broadband, hosted payloads and space situational awareness.