[SatNews] Thales Alenia Space announces tri-partite contracts with RSCC (Russian Space Operator) and JSC “ISS – Reshetnev Company” to supply the Express AM8, AT1 and AT2 communications satellite payloads.

Thales Alenia Space will be the communications payloads supplier. The satellite will be based on an Express 1000 platform provided by JSC “ISS – Reshetnev Company” and the satellites will be integrated and tested in ISS’ premises, Krasnoyarsk, Russia. Express AM8 will operate at 14 degrees West for a 15 years lifetime. The payload power is about 5.9 kW. AM8 will carry 24 active C-band transponders covering Europe-Africa and America, 16 active Ku-band transponders covering Europe-Asia, Africa, North and South America and 2 active L-band transponders. Express AT1 will operate at 56 degrees East for a 15 years lifetime. The payload power is about 
5.6 kW. AT1 will carry 32 active Ku-band transponders over West and East Russia. Express AT2 will operate at 36 degrees East for a 15 years lifetime. The payload power is about 
3 kW. AT2 will carry 16 active Ku-band transponders over West Russia.