RSCC Expands Capabilities to Monitor New Satellites

[Satellite Today 12-04-08] The Russian Satellite Communications Co. (RSCC) has expanded the capabilities of its ground satellite control and monitoring system in an effort to deliver the new Express-AM44 and Express-MD1 telecommunications satellites into orbit, RSCC announced Dec. 4.
    The Dubna Satellite Control Center, located in Moscow, has built additional telemetric information receiver stations, allowing the company’s specialists to check and control all stages of launching and operating the spacecraft.
    The Express-AM44 and Express-MD1 satellites, scheduled to be launched Feb. 11, will be placed at the 11 degrees West and 80 degrees East, respectively.