Ekspress-AMU1
NamesЭкспресс-АМУ1
Express-AMU1 (2015–present)
Eutelsat 36C (2015–present)
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorRussian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC)
COSPAR ID2015-082A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.41191
Websiteeng.rscc.ru
Mission duration15 years (planned)
8 years and 29 days (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftEkspress-AMU1
Spacecraft typeEurostar
BusEurostar-3000
ManufacturerEADS Astrium
Launch mass5,892 kg (12,990 lb)
Power15 kW
Start of mission
Launch date24 December 2015,
21:31:19 UTC
RocketProton-M / Briz-M
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 200/39
ContractorKhrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
Entered service10 February 2016
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude36° East (2015–present)
Transponders
Band70 transponders:
60 Ku-band
10 Ka-band
Coverage areaRussia, Sub-Saharan Africa
 

Ekspress-AMU1 (Russian: Экспресс-АМУ1), also known as Eutelsat 36C, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) and designed and manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space on the Eurostar-3000 satellite bus for its Ekspress constellation.[1] It massed 5,892 kg (12,990 lb) at launch, had a power production capacity of 15 kW and a 15-year design life.[2] Its payload is composed of 61 Ku-band and 10 Ka-band transponders.[3][4]

Eutelsat 36C

Eutelsat leased much of its capacity broadcasting and Internet service provider for Russia and Sub-Saharan Africa, and positioned it in the 36° East under the Eutelsat 36C designation.[5] It is part of the Ekspress constellation of RSCC.[6]

History

On 2 November 2012, Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) and EUTELSAT announced a 15-year agreement to lease capacity on two satellites to be launched in 2013 and 2015. It would be used for broadcasting and IP services and was valued at 300 million euro. The first satellite was Ekspress-AT2, already on order, and the second was Ekspress-AMU1, which construction was to be bid later that year.[5]

During 2012, RSCC organized a competition among EADS Astrium (later Airbus Defense and Space), Thales Alenia Space, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) and JSC Information Satellite Systems (ISS Reshetnev) to build Ekspress-AMU1. EUTELSAT participated from the selection committee since they intended to lease capacity on board the satellite.[2]

In May 2013, Airbus announced that it had been awarded a contract by RSCC to build Ekspress-AMU1. Also known as EUTELSAT 36C, it would be the follow-up of Eutelsat 36A at the 36° East. Based on the Eurostar-3000 it would mass around 5,892 kg (12,990 lb) at launch, have an end of life power production of 15 kW and a design life of 15 years. It was expected to be launched by a Proton-M in 2015.[7] Airbus bid, while slightly more expensive than Thales, promised to deliver the satellite seven months earlier.[2]

Launch

By early 2015, the satellite was planned for a September or October 2015 launch, but the satellite was delivered to the launch site in Baikonur on 12 November 2015.[2][8] The launch was then set for 23 December 2015, but weather conditions required a day delay. On 24 December 2015, at 21:31:19 UTC, a Proton-M / Briz-M successfully launched from Site 200/39.[2][9][10]

Mission

On 1 January 2016, RSCC announced that Ekspress-AMU1 had reached the geostationary orbit.[11] On 10 February 2016, signals from EUTELSAT 36A were switched to Ekspress-AMU1 marking the final commissioning of the satellite into service.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Express-AMU1". Russian Satellite Communications Company. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e Zak, Anatoly (26 December 2015). "Ekspress-AMU1 (Eutelsat 36C) communication satellite". RussianSpaceWeb.com. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  3. ^ Krebs, Gunter (25 April 2016). "Ekspress-AMU 1 / Eutelsat 36C". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  4. ^ "41191". Satbeams. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  5. ^ a b "RSCC and Eutelsat Communications have an agreement whereby Eutelsat will lease capacity for broadcasting and IP services on two RSCC satellites to be launched in 2013 and 2015". Russian Satellite Communications Company. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  6. ^ Zak, Anatoly (16 March 2014). "Ekspress communication satellite 11F639". RussianSpaceWeb.com. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  7. ^ "Airbus Defence and Space to build new satellite for RSCC". Airbus Defence and Space. 15 May 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  8. ^ "Express AMU1 satellite has left Airbus Defence and Space". Airbus Defence and Space. 12 November 2015. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  9. ^ Bergin, Chris (24 December 2015). "Russian Proton-M successfully launches with Ekspress AMU1". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  10. ^ Pillet, Nicolas. "Ekspress Liste des satellites" [List of Ekspress satellites] (in French). Kosmonavtika. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  11. ^ "RSCC begins communications and broadcasting services using the new Russian Express-AMU1 satellite". Russian Satellite Communications Company. 1 January 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  12. ^ "RSCC begins communications and broadcasting services using the new Russian Express-AMU1 satellite". Russian Satellite Communications Company. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.

External links

Ekspress satellites
← 2014  ·  Orbital launches in 2015  ·  2016 →
Categories