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Russian Satellite Industry Aims High (Standard Magazine) [20.02.07]

Russians in Space (by "Standard" Magazine)

By 2010 Russian satellite companies will beef up its space group to match that of the world satellite communications elite.   Russian satellite operators plan to earn money mostly from foreign sales.  By the beginning of 2007 the Russian group will have 11 satellites by the state-run company Space Communications (RSCC) and 3 satellites of Gazcom, a daughter company of Gazprom.  RSCC satellites are located on the synchronistic orbit between 14 degree of western and 145 degree of eastern longitude.  The capacity of this satellite group equals to 220 transponders equivalent to 36 MHz in Ku-, C- and L- ranges.  The Yamal system owned by Gazcom consists of one satellite at 49 degree of eastern longitude (C-range) and two satellites at 90 degree of eastern longitude (C- and Ku- ranges). Its capacity is 76 transponders equivalent to 36 MHz. Spacecraft of both companies are the latest industrial products, launched in 1998-2005 with a life expectancy of 10-15 years.

RSCC and Gazcom compete fiercely in the national and world markets.  The Russian satellites have good and economically efficient location and are used for communications between the western and eastern parts of Eurasia. RSCC and Gazcom provide satellite capacity to dozens of European teleports and provide the full range of satellite services to companies in Europe, Northern Africa, Middle East and South-East Asia. 

By 2015 new launches will increase the RSCC capacity by 580  transponders.  The launch of Yamal - 300 in 2008 will increase capacity of Gazcom group by 52 transponders. By 2015 this will bring the Russian satellite communications system close to EvtelSat, IntelSat-PanamSat or SES Global. RSCC plans to launch at least 15 more satellites further west and east in the spots allocated by International Organization of Space Communications (IOSC) INTERSPUTNIK. For instance, at 176 of eastern longitude which allows to broadcast to the US and Canada. RSCC is now drawing cooperation agreements with Latin American countries.

On October 22, 2005 the RF Government adopted the new federal space program. It will be financed with public ($11,4 billion) and  extrabudgetary funds (about $6,8 billion). Eventually, there will be satellites for fixed communications and broadcasting from 26 KA, launched by RSCC and Gazcom, a system of internal TV-retranslation from 2 KA, built by RTRN, and systems of mobile satellite communications, including 12 KA.  Russian satellite companies also plan to increase their foreign sales.  Already 35% of Express - AM satellite services is used by foreign customers.  Gazcom sells 27% of its services in overseas markets. The new RSCC satellites have relay beam that gives satellite operators more flexibility in the market and is a serious competitive advantage in South-East Asia and Africa. One of the new Gazcom satellites to be launched in 2008 will also have relay transponders.

The new technology of compression of television signal, such as MPEG-4 Part 10, can be used to increase efficiency of transponder capacity. It is focused at creation and distribution of blocks of TV-programs and modern broadcasting technologies such as HDT, DTH for mobile terminals. The Russian group will technologically and financially focus more on end users. For, instance, it will have more satellites equipped with Ku-range transponders.

RSCC has previously built, launched and serviced foreign satellites, such as the first Kazakh national communications satellite Kazsat launched on June 18, 2006. Today RSCC is taking part in a tender to build and launch a satellite for Indonesia and other countries of South-East Asia.

Source: "Standard" Magazine, November, #11 (http://www.comnews.ru/index.cfm?id=25865)