Russia’s new communications and broadcasting satellite, Express-AM5, now being tested

March 11, 2014 saw the beginning of Express-AM5 acceptance tests.  Express-AM5 is Russia’s new heavy satellite launched on 26 December 2013.

The satellite is scheduled to be commissioned by RSCC in May 2014. Positioned in the 140˚E orbital slot, the satellite will ensure robust coverage of Siberia and the Far East.

Express-AM5 was ordered by RSCC and manufactured by ОАО ISS-Reshetnev Company in conjunction with Canada’s MDA and Moscow-based NII Radio. Built on the Express-2000 platform, the satellite carries 84 transponders on board in the C-, Ku-, Ka- and L-bands. Its active service life is 15 years. Express-AM5 was designed with due regard for potential trends of the domestic satellite market for communications and broadcasting and in keeping with the Federal Target Program, Development of TV and Radio Broadcasting in the Russian Federation in 2009–2015, as part of the Russian Federal Space Program for the period through 2015. The satellite will facilitate the creation of requisite infrastructure to ensure access for the population in the Eastern regions to affordable multi-program digital TV and radio including HD TV. The Express-AM5 satellite is also intended for mobile communications services in the interests of the presidential and government administration, broadband internet access, provision of multi-service packages (digital TV and radio, telephony, video conferencing, and data transmission), as well as for developing VSAT-based communications networks in Siberia and the Russian Far East.