RSCC’s Express-103 Satellite Enters Commercial Service

Moscow, Russia, March 26, 2021--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.

Russian Satellite Communication Company (RSCC) is the Russian GEO satellite operator with global coverage. RSCC provides a full range of communications and broadcasting services via its own terrestrial telecom facilities and satellite constellation, which consist of  modern Express, Express-AM, Express-AT, Express-AMU type satellites; e.g. video distribution and contribution, DTH, DSNG, broadband Internet access, IP trunking and cellular backhaul, maritime mobility, SCADA, enterprise networks connectivity and other. The company operates various regional satellite TV distribution networks and corporate VSAT networks for fixed and mobility customers. RSCC satellites provide unique coverage and connectivity throughout EMEA, Latin America and Asia