[Satellite Today – 1-28-08] Russian telecoms satellite Express-AM33 has been placed into orbit by a Proton M rocket, the Russian Satellite Communications Co. (RSCC) announced Jan. 28.
    The satellite ordered and operated by RSCC, was manufactured by NPO PM (Krasnoyarsk) with Thales Alenia Space. The satellite carries 10 C-band, 16 Ku-band and an L-band transponder to provide digital TV services, Internet access, data transmission, video conferencing, VSAT network deployment and mobile governmental communications.
    “Launching Express-AM33 is the first stage of implementing the Federal Space Program of Russia for 2006 [until] 2015,” Yuri Izmailov, RSCC’s acting director general, said in a statement. “The new satellite will be capable of satisfying the growing demands, first of all of the Russian state and commercial customers, on up-to-date communications and broadcasting services inclusive HD TV, value added services and multi-function VSAT networks. In the context of the Federal Space Program [until] 2015, RSCC intends to further consolidate its positions and to expand its presence in the world satellite communications market.”