Astrium Teaming With
Khrunichev To Build Large Russian Communications Satellite
(17 March 2008) The Russian Satellite
Communications Company (RSCC) has selected a team of Khrunichev Space Center
and Astrium to build the Express AM4 communications
satellite.
Express AM4, to be delivered late 2010 and positioned
at 80º East, is by far the largest Express satellite ever
ordered.
RSCC is focused primarily on the development of satellite
communications and the broadcasting network in the Russian Federation to secure
the common information space across the country. RSCC currently operates 11
satellites from 14º East to 145º East in geostationary orbit, and is
currently looking for high power satellites to complement the existing fleet
and fulfil growing needs for satellite capacity.
Express AM4 will use
Astrium's Eurostar E3000 satellite design. The satellite will be delivered in
orbit by Khrunichev Space Center using the Proton launch vehicle. It will be
equipped with a 63 active transponders operating in L, C, Ku and Ka bands at a
payload power of 14 kW for its planned 15-year service life in orbit. Its 10
antennas will provide high performance coverage over the Russian Federation and
the CIS countries and its steerable antennas can be used to provide
communication to any point within the satellite's visibility.
This order
paves the way for a series of high power Express satellites that could be built
for RSCC by this partnership of Khrunichev Space Center and
Astrium.
Evert Dudok, CEO of Astrium Satellites, said: "We are very
pleased to be awarded this contract from RSCC, which demonstrates its
recognition of the capability and advanced technology used on our Eurostar
satellites. It is a great success for Astrium and we are fully committed to
working closely with our Russian industrial partners to ensure RSCC meets its
growing demand for capacity. We are looking forward to building a solid
relationship and a long term involvement with Russian space
industry."
Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to
providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2007, Astrium had a
turnover of 3.6 billion and 12,000 employees in France, Germany, the United
Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are
Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, Astrium
Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment, and its wholly owned subsidiary
Astrium Services for the development and delivery of satellite
services.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related
services. In 2007, EADS generated revenues of 39.1 billion and employed a
workforce of more than 116,000.
(source: EADS Space)
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