[Satellite Today 02-06-09] Gazprom Space Systems signed a contract for Thales Alenia Space to design, manufacture, test and deliver the Yamal-401 and Yamal-402 satellites, Thales announced Feb. 5. The deal was announced in January by Gazprom.
    The satellites will be built based on the Spacebus 4000 and allow Gazprom to increase the capacity of its constellation. Yamal-401 will be placed at 90 degrees East and will be equipped with 36 Ku-band and 17 C-band transponders to provide coverage to Russian and CIS territory. Yamal-402 satellite will be placed at 55 degrees East and carry 46 Ku-band transponders to cover Russia, the CIS, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
    “This project is very important both for our company and for our country. Yamal-400 satellites are extremely necessary for Gazprom entering the new strategically important regions of gas production as well as for strengthening the existing Russian communications satellites orbital constellation, Dmitry Sevastiyanov, director general of Gazprom Space Systems, said in a statement.
    The two satellites are scheduled for launch in 2011.