[Satellite Today 02-12-09] The Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) has been boosted by the successful launch of the Express AM44 and Express-MD1 satellites, the company said Feb. 11. The two satellites were launched onto target orbit by a Proton-M rocket and taken under control by a RSCC satellite mission control center. At present, RSCC, via its terrestrial facilities, controls AM44 and MD1 movement onto geostationary orbit at the 11° West and 80° East orbital slots respectively.
    The satellites have been produced within the program of renovating the Russian state satellite communications constellation and the Russian Federal Space Program for 2006-2015. The first satellite of the program, Express-AM33, was successfully launched in January 2008.
    The new AM44 and MD1 satellites have been produced to take into consideration the forecasts of satellite communications and broadcasting service development in Russia. The new satellites will provide Russian customers with TV and radio broadcasting services, telephony, data transmission and broadband Internet. The implementation of the Program for renovating the satellite constellation will enable RSCC to provide the Russian population, state and commercial customers with the reliable state-of the-art services in any corner of the country.