Russia’s two latest spacecraft are now in geostationary orbit.
Launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome on behalf of the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) on July 31, 2020, the two satellites will be placed at 80 degrees and 96.5 degrees East.
They’re due to provide fixed and mobile services; digital TV and radio broadcasting; high-speed Internet access, as well as data transmission across the Russian Federation and internationally.
“With two newly-launched satellites, Express-80 and Express-103, the throughput of our constellation is now up by a quarter,” said Yuri Prokhorov, RSCC acting Director General. “It is crucial for RSCC that these spacecrafts in orbital slots centered over the Russian Federation are already demanded by our customers. This will allow telecom operators to transfer their networks from foreign spacecraft and provide domestic subscribers with the most advanced digital communications and broadcasting services, including Internet access
for maritime and aerial customers.”
The satellites, manufactured by the Russia’s JSC ISS Reshetnev, in collaboration with Thales Alenia Space. They will enter full service in January and February 2021.
