Molniya-1

In the early 60s commercial viability of communications and broadcasting satellites was becoming increasingly apparent, and so was their vital importance. The USSR’s Molniya series and the US Telstar satellites pioneered the explosion of satellite-supported communications world-wide. The Soviet Union was a trailblazer in using communications satellites in high-elliptical orbits and in early direct TV ventures. The first Molniya-1 telecoms satellite was launched on 23 April 1965. Its high-elliptical orbit supported the coverage of the USSR territory and visibility from any point for eight hours. Molniya-1 was successfully used in pilot satellite TV and telephony communication sessions between Moscow and Vladivostok.

«Orbita»

In the remarkably short period of two years (1965-67), as many as twenty ground stations were simultaneously built and commissioned in the USSR’s eastern provinces to support the Orbita (“Orbit”) System. The Orbita transceiver station, known as the K-40 Cabin, was also built in the same timeframe in the Shchelkovo District near Moscow within the perimeter used by the Moscow Power Engineering Institute for field tests and practice. The Orbita transceiver station was the first such facility operated by RSCC. Currently it is the location for one of the key RSCC infrastructure facilities, the Satellite Communications Center called Medvezhyi Ozera (“Bear Lakes”). The Orbita System became the world’s first circular TV and distributive satellite-supported system which made the most efficient use of satellite communications capabilities.

In 1968, the Satellite Communications Station was set up by the order of the USSR Ministry of Communications. Later the Station became the operator of the Russian non-military telecoms and broadcasting satellite constellation, and was named Russian Satellite Communications Company.

Ekran

In 1976 the world’s first GEO satellite for direct TV called Ekran was launched. Ekran operated in the below-1GHz band and had powerful onboard repeater (up to 300 W), providing TV services to sparsely populated territories in Siberia, Far North and parts of Far East. Ekran was assigned 714 and 754 MHz, and these frequencies supported rather simple and inexpensive receivers. Ekran was, in fact, the first DTV system in the world.

Dubna

An important phase in the RSCC history was satellite-supported transmission of the 1980 Summer Olympic Games held in Moscow. To address the complicated task, the Satellite Communications Center was set up in Dubna near Moscow, currently the largest teleport in Russia and Eastern Europe.

Express-A

In 1998, in the context of the Federal Space Program of Russia, RSCC signed a contract with NPO PM, a domestic spacecraft manufacturer, for design and production of new up-to-date Express-A series satellites with enhanced technical parameters. The satellite payloads were manufactured by Alcatel, France. In 2000, two satellites of Express-A series were successfully launched into orbit and became forerunners of the National Satellite Constellation Renovation Program.

State-owned entity Russian Satellite Communications Company subsequently became a Federal State Unitary Enterprise (“FGUP”) in status on 19April 2001, and was given the name of FGUP Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC). Currently RSCC is the third oldest satellite operator in the world.

2003-2009

In the 2003-2009 period RSCC’s satellite constellation was complemented by seven Express AM-series spacecraft and one Express MD1 small satellite. RSCC has also taken over control and day-to-day operational management of its satellites which has made it possible to considerably enhance service quality and reliability.

The company’s efforts to further develop state-of-the-art information and communications services and to enter new regional markets have not passed unnoticed: at the international satellite summit in Paris (September 2009) RSCC was for the first time recognized as the best regional satellite operator of the year in the world.

Modern times

In 2014-2015 seven new spacecraft were added to RSCC satellite fleet: Express-AM5, AM6, AM7, AM8, AT1 &AT2, as well as AMU1. RSCC has nearly totally renewed its space constellation. The available capacity of the Russian state satellite fleet grew up by 2.5 times.

RSCC

In September 2015 at the World Summit for Satellite Financing in Paris, RSCC was once again lauded as the world’s best regional operator of the year. According to the jury of reputable experts including analysts from Satellite Finance business (UK), Space News (USA) and Euroconsult (France) RSCC has demonstrated outstanding results of company’s performance and growth. The award is based on a performance analysis of the satellite market players worldwide, including key strategic initiatives as well as revenue growth and profitability.

High-tech

Today RSCC is present at all geographically available markets, providing services for customers from 52 countries worldwide. The company is in the top ten world satellite operators in terms of available space capacity. RSCC satellite fleet includes 12 spacecraft on GEO from 14˚ West to 145˚ East. Company’s terrestrial infrastructure includes five teleports.

The American non-profit organization World Teleport Association (WTA) has called the RSCC the fifth fastest growing teleport in the world. In addition, RSCC has joined the list of twenty largest global operators and service providers of satellite communications, ranking the 16th in the world rating, ahead of a number of US, Canadian and Chinese operators.

On July 31, 2020, Express-80 and Express-103 satellites were launched into orbit as the first spacecraft of the program for the renewal and development of the RSCC constellation for the period up to 2030. In the next 10 years, RSCC plans to build, launch and commission 12 new communication and broadcasting satellites on geostationary orbit, as well as the development and creation of a new multifunctional satellite communication system Express-RV on highly elliptical orbits.

Express-AMU3 and Express-AMU7 geostationary telecommunication satellites have been successfully commissioned in 103° and 145° E orbital slots. The satellites were launched into orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in December 2021. Now the RSCC constellation consists of 12 spacecrafts, and the company has taken the 4th place in the world by the number of GEO satellites on orbit.