ISS Reshetnev Names Express AM5, AM6 Partners; RSCC Reveals Plans for New Fleet
[Satellite TODAY 08-17-09] ISS Reshetnev will work with Thales Alenia Space and Russian Radio Research and Development Institute (NIIR) in developing the Express AM5 and AM6 satellites, the Moscow-based manufacturer announced Aug. 14.
ISS Reshetnev won a contract from RSCC to build Express AM5 and AM6 in May. Express AM5 will be located at 140 degrees East to cover the Far Eastern Russian region. AM6 Express will be positioned at 53 degrees East to cover Central Russia.
RSCC also announced plans to launch a fleet of new spacecraft. Two of these satellites — AM8 Express and Express MD2 — are being designed for positioning at 4 degrees West and 145 degrees East, respectively, by 2013. The company confirmed that Express AM7, AM8, AT1 and AT2 also are in development.
Express AM7 and AM8 will require an investment of $200 million and Express AT1 and AT2 will require $60 million to $70 million to finance.
Related Stories-
ISS Reshetnev Wins Contract to Build Russian Express Satellites [Satellite Today 05-20-09]
GAO Rejects PlanetSpace Protest of NASA ISS Award [Satellite Today 05-15-09]
Thales Gets Piece of Indonesian Satellite Contract [Satellite Today 03-12-09]