Proton Rocket Orbits RSCC’s Express AM8 Satellite

A Proton rocket delivers RSCC’s Express AM8 into orbit. Photo: Roscosmos

[Via Satellite 09-15-2015] Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC)’s latest satellite Express AM8 launched Sept. 14 aboard a Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The company currently has control of the satellite and scheduled operations are under way to deploy onboard equipment.

Express АМ8 will be stationed in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) at 14 degrees west to provide communications and broadcasting services to users in European Russia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

ISS-Reshetnev built the satellite on its Express 1000N platform, with a 641-kg C-, Ku- and L-band payload from Thales Alenia Space. The payload is comprised of 28 active C-band transponders, 20 active Ku-band transponders, and three L-band transponders. The satellite will provide fixed and mobile communication services, as well as broadcast services for digital television and radio, plus data transmission, high-speed Internet access and secure government communications. Express AM8 has a design life of 15 years, and was Proton’s fifth launch of 2015.