Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) —- the Russian satellite communications operator and Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems (Reshetnev ISS) — signed a contract for design, development, manufacture, tests, launch preparation and taking into orbital operation the Express-AM5 and Express-AM6 satellites.

In additionally, Reshetnev ISS and Radio Research and Development Institute (NIIR) signed a contract for R&D in the field of design, manufacture as well as delivery of the payloads for Express-AM5 and Express-AM6 satellites. The satellites will be developed on request of RSCC by Reshetnev ISS together with NIIR and with Thales Alenia Space participation. The satellites will establish necessary infrastructure for providing the population of Russia with affordable multi-program digital TV and radio broadcasting. The Exprss-AM5 and Express-AM6 spacecraft are also designed to meet the requirements of the presidential and governmental mobile communications, to offer a multi-service package, and to establish a VSAT communications networks.

The Express-AM5 satellite will be located at 140 degrees East orbital slot. The satellite has a guaranteed, operational life-time of 15 years. The payload power supply is minimum at 14 kW. The Express-AM5 will carry 30 C-band transponders, 40 Ku-band transponders, 12 Ka-band transponders and 2 L-band transponders. The Express-AM6 satellite will be located at 53 East orbital slot and also has an operational lifetime of 15 years. The payload power supply is minimum 14 kW. The Express-AM6 will carry 14 C-band transponders, 44 Ku-band transponders, 12 Ka-band transponders and 2 L-band transponders. The satellites are expected to be delivered onto the orbit in 2012.