This paper presents an overview of the INTELSAT VII spacecraft program. The overview begins at the spacecraft definition stage with an outline of the key mission objectives. It provides a description of the spacecraft with particular emphasis on the payload equipment and capabilities. This program started in October 1988 after what was an intense global competition. INTELSAT VII breaks new grounds in several ways though not necessarily in the same fashion as its predecessor series. It is expected to provide, from 1992 onwards, a flexible, high power, and long life spacecraft for a variety of roles in the INTELSAT network. © 1990 IEEE