The Russian Satellite Communications Company has selected an Astrium–Khrunichev Space Center team to build the Express AM4 communications satellite, by far the largest Express satellite ever ordered.
Based on Astrium’s Eurostar E3000 satellite design and weighing 5,700 kg at launch, Express AM4 is will be equipped with a total of 63 active transponders in L, C, Ku and Ka bands and 10 antennas, both fixed and steerable. It will be able to operate at a payload power of 14 kW throughout its 15-year design lifetime, to deliver telecommunications and broadcast services over the Russian Federation and the CIS.
Khrunichev is general contractor for Express AM4. Astrium will design and build both the spacecraft platform and the payload. The satellite will be delivered in orbit in 2010 by Khrunichev Space Center using the Proton launch vehicle. It will be positioned at 80° East.
