Satellite being born in Siberia: RSCC signs contract with Reshetnev ISS to manufacture Express-AMU4 communication satellite
Nikolai Raspopin, Minister of Digital Development of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, and Nikolai Testoedov, General Designer of ISS Reshetnev, also attended the signing.
The satellite launch is planned to 2026. It will occupy the slot at 11°W on geostationary orbit and will also reserve 14°W. This spacecraft will provide satellite communication and broadcasting services over the European part of Russia, as well as for Europe, Middle East, North Africa, South America and a portion of North America. The satellite will operate in Ku, C and L bands. The lifespan of Express-AMU4 will be 15 years at the very least.
100% of the instruments within Express-AMU4 space platform will be of the Russian origin. With the recent sanctions restrictions, the tender for the manufacture of the satellite was carried out without a separate foreign participant for the creation of the payload.
"Updating the geostationary satellite constellation that we have now is a strategically important task for the country, the solution of which will help us bring technological independence," said Alexey Volin, Director General of RSCC. "Express-AMU4 is the first satellite that we order while under the sanctions. It will be made entirely of Russian components, based on the Express-1000N platform. And there will be no alternative to Russian satellites for us for the next 20 or 30 years. We have to rely solely on our own strength. The refusal of a number of western companies to cooperate with us did not come as a surprise. The situation in this direction has evolved over the past few years, and we have had time to prepare. ISS Reshetnev has a long experience in producing spacecraft, and we are confident that our partner is able to fully solve the payload task. The new satellite will make it possible to serve all the interests of our clients both in Russia and abroad."
As part of the trip, Alexey Volin also visited the Zheleznogorsk Space Communications Center, a branch of RSCC, and awarded the company's employees. They received badges of honour of RSCC "For personal contribution to the development of space communications" of I and II degrees.