Skolkovo Center

The Skolkovo Satellite Communications Centre (SCC), a branch of the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC), was established in October 2003. The Centre has modern equipment to arrange direct digital satellite broadcasting and TV and radio programs receiving from geostationary satellites on the arc from 27° West to 103° East.

History

The Skolkovo Satellite Communications Centre (SCC), a branch of the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC), was established in October 2003 based on the radio complex of Bonum-1 CJSC.

In 1996, two satellites Gals 11, Gals 12 were leased and two satellite transmitting stations with 9-meter antennas were built in Ostankino to arrange direct TV broadcasting. Regular analogue broadcasting of 4 NTV-PLUS programs in 4 transponders was started from November 1, 1996.

In 1997, the TDF-2 satellite with 2 transponders was leased and relocated to 36° East to enhance broadcasting. To control this satellite, a control station and a transmitting station with a 9-meter antenna (for the satellite loading) were built in Yekaterinburg. The total number of broadcast programs increased up to 7.

In 1997, a contract was also concluded with Hughes for supplying and launching the Bonum-1 satellite. Designing of Skolkovo Satellite Television Broadcasting Centre (STBC) was concurrently initiated at the State Specialized Design Institute of Radio and Television. Construction of the STBC started in May 1998.

In June 1998, a transmitting station for digital broadcasting of 4 programs via the Hot Bird 2 satellite in Europe was constructed in Ostankino under the NTV International project. Broadcasting in Europe started on June 10, 1998.

Bonum-1 satellite was launched to the position of 36° East on November 23, 1998. By this time, the flight control centre, satellite control station and transmitting station for loading the satellite had been built at the STBC. From February 1, 1999, broadcasting of the digital package of programs started, and the number of broadcast digital programs increased to 29.

In 1999, the satellites Gals 11, Gals 12 and TDF-2 were withdrawn from operation, and from November 1, 1999 analogue broadcasting of programs was stopped.

In May 2000, one 9-meter antenna was moved from Ostankino to Skolkovo Satellite Television Broadcasting Centre. In 2003, a new station was built at the STBC based on this antenna for broadcasting to the second group of transponders of the Eutelsat W4 satellite.