INTERSPUTNIK has been providing a wide range of telecommunications services to customers in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean regions for over 27 years. More than 100 state-run and private telecommunications and broadcast organizations use the Intersputnik system worldwide.

The INTERSPUTNIK International Organization of Space Communications was established in 1971 according to an intergovernmental Agreement of November 15, 1971. At that time INTERSPUTNIK had nine member countries. At present, the INTERSPUTNIK has a membership of 23 states.

The main INTERSPUTNIK bodies are the Board, Committee of Plenipotentiaries, Auditing Committee and Directorate. The Directorate has its headquarters in Moscow, Russia.

Express-A satellites to Replace Express-6 $(800East)\; and\; Express-2\; (140West)\; in\; 1999-2000$

The basic regulatory documents of INTERSPUTNIK are the Agreement on the Establishment of the INTERSPUTNIK International System and Organization of Space Communications of November 15, 1971; the Protocol to the above Agreement of November 26, 1982 and the Agreement on the Legal Capacity, Privileges and Immunities of the INTERSPUTNIK International Organization of Space Communications of September 20, 1976. Two new fundamental regulatory documents will be approved in October 1999: the Operating Agreement of INTERSPUTNIK and the Protocol on Amendments to the Agreement on the establishment of INTERSPUTNIK. After approving the Protocol on Amendments to the Agreement on the establishment of INTERSPUTNIK and the Operating Agreement, the structure of INTERSPUTNIK will considerably be modified: the institution of signatories will be introduced (they will be duly licensed telecommunications organizations appointed by corresponding governments); the Operations Committee composed of 15 members will be formed instead of the Committee of Plenipotentiaries; weighted voting procedure will be introduced in the Operations Committee; terms of reference will be redistributed between the Board and the Operations Committee.

INTERSPUTNIK has a status of an observer at the UN Committee for Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, International Telecommunication Union, UNESCO and takes part in their activities. INTERSPUTNIK is a party to the APSCC and is a member of the APSCC Board (headquarters in Seoul).

INTERSPUTNIK was formed to provide cooperation and coordinate efforts in the designing, establishment, operation and development of an international satellite communications system. The INTERSPUTNIK system consists of a space segment which includes communications satellites owned by the organization or leased from member countries and a terrestrial segment c omposed of earth stations which are property of countries or recognized operators.

Today, the Intersputnik system consists of a space segment (GEO communications satellites) and a ground network (earth stations owned by customers). Intersputnik's space segment is based on the Gorizont, Express and Gals satellites deployed in the geostationary arc from $14oWest\; to\; 80oEast,\; providing\; coverage\; over\; most\; of\; Earth\text{'}s\; surface.$

Intersputnik's comprehensive operations system with three monitoring centers (two in Russia and one in the Philippines) controls a network of numerous earth terminals around the globe, providing qualified 24-hour assistance to customers.

Intersputnik's 27-year history is closely connected with the Soviet (later Russian) satellite constellation. Early in the 1990s, the organization faced the consequences of nationwide crisis. The skyrocketing demand for telecommunications services that followed resulted in a shortfall of capacity and high-quality services. The main reason for this is the physical and technical aging of Russian satellites currently in operation.

Adapting to this environment, Intersputnik has announced a new development strategy, which is aimed at renewing its satellite system and expanding the range of services provided. This strategy is based on long-term strategic alliances with satcom operators, spacecraft and launch vehicle manufacturers, ground equipment manufacturers, and Russian and international satellite communications organizations.

In 1999-2000, the Intersputnik system will be completely renewed. It will be upgraded by the new state-of-the-art LMI-1 (75^o East) and Express-A (80^o East, 14^o West) satellites, which are designed to accommodate the rapid growth of space-based communications services.

The next generation LMI-1 satellite(75$oEast)$

One of the most important and successful steps taken in this direction is the Lockheed Martin Intersputnik global satellite communications system project, which draws both on Intersputnik's 30-year experience as a satellite communications operator and U.S. Lockheed Martin's expertise in advanced technology. LMI is tasked with the launch and operation of a series of new-generation, state-of-the-art telecommunications satellites that will form a global telecommunications system. Intersputnik provides access to the orbital slots required for the LMI satellites, and also is responsible for sales and marketing the capacity on LMI-1.

Today, Intersputnik is bringing together a modern and efficient satellite-based communications system that will offer unprecedented opportunities in terms of distributing high-quality TV and radio, providing VSAT and overlay network services around the world.

For further information, contact INTERSPUTNIK at phone +7 (095) 244 03 33, +7 (095) 241 72 77, +7 (095) 241 72 73; fax: +7 (095) 253 99 06; e-mail: sales.marketing@intersputnik.com, or visit their website at http://www.intersputnik.com

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