High Power Russian Spacecraft To Be Built

chris

The Russian national satellite operator RSCC signed a contract with Khrunichev Center to build the first Russian high power spacecraft Express-AM4. Satellite equipment will be supplied by European company EADS Astrium.

The new satellite Express-AM4 will be based on Astrium's proven Eurostar E3000 satellite platform with a 14kW payload power. The Eurostar E3000 is flight qualified and has been used to build satellites for leading international operators of fixed and mobile satellite communications, such as Inmarsat-4F1 and 4F2, Hot Bird 8, Eutelsat W3A, Intelsat 10-02 and many others.

Express-AM4 satellite will be equipped with 63 transponders operating in C-, Ku-, Ka and L-bands. The craft's ten antennas will provide high performance coverage over the Russian Federation and the CIS countries. The steerable antennas can be used to provide communication to any point within the satellite’s visibility.

Guaranteed active orbital life of Express-AM4 will be 15 years. The satellite shall be delivered in the second half of 2010. Express-AM4 is planned to be placed in Russia’s key orbital position of 80º E.

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