On March 25, 2021, Express-103 spacecraft was put into operation, joining the orbital constellation of Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) at 96.5 ° E. All in-orbit flight tests of the service systems module and the payload of Express-103 satellite were carried out in full and with positive results.
The new communication satellite is designed to provide digital TV and radio broadcasting, high-speed Internet access and data transmission. It also provides maritime VSAT and in-flight connectivity services in Russia and abroad.
“Express-103 satellite will replace Express-AM33 spacecraft in the 96.5 E slot, providing satellite communications services in the eastern regions of Russia and in Southeastern Asia. As a result, the launch of Express-103 satellite is seen as a significant potential enhancement in the quality and reliability of the services. Importantly, Express-103 satellite will ensure an almost total coverage of the Northern Sea Route,” says Yuri Prokhorov, RSCC Acting General Director.
Express-103 spacecraft was launched into a geostationary orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 31, 2020. The satellite was manufactured by the leading Russian enterprise in the rocket and space industry – JSC ISS Reshetnev Company in collaboration with its European partner, Thales Alenia Space. The Express-103 service life is 15 years.
Today RSCC runs Russia’s largest orbital constellation, which consists 12 GEO satellites operating in the C-, Ku-, Ka- and L-bands. The orbital constellation is located on an arc of a geostationary orbit from 14 degrees west to 140 degrees east, enabling RSCC to provide services to clients in 58 countries on all continents.
