Ekspress-AMU1

Ekspress-AMU1 (Russian: Экспресс-АМУ1), also known as Eutelsat 36C, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) and designed and manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space on the Eurostar-3000 satellite bus for its Ekspress constellation. It massed 5,892 kg (12,990 lb) at launch, had a power production capacity of 15 kW and a 15-year design life. Its payload is composed of 61 Ku-band and 10 Ka-band transponders. Eutelsat leased much of its capacity broadcasting and Internet service provider for Russia and Sub-Saharan Africa, and positioned it in the 36° East under the Eutelsat 36C designation. It is part of the Ekspress constellation of RSCC. On 2 November 2012, Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) and EUTELSAT announced a 15-year agreement to lease capacity on two satellites to be launched in 2013 and 2015. It would be used for broadcasting and IP services and was valued at 300 million euro. The first satellite was Ekspress-AT2, already on order, and the second was Ekspress-AMU1, which construction was to be bid later that year. During 2012, RSCC organized a competition among EADS Astrium (later Airbus Defense and Space), Thales Alenia Space, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) and JSC Information Satellite Systems (ISS Reshetnev) to build Ekspress-AMU1. EUTELSAT participated from the selection committee since they intended to lease capacity on board the satellite.