Posted: Tue, Mar 18, 2008, 7:28 AM ET (1128 GMT)
A partnership of EADS Astrium and Khrunichev Space Center have won a contract to deliver and launch a new large communications satellite for a Russian operator. The Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) selected the two to build the Express AM4 satellite, the largest ever spacecraft in the Express series of GEO communications satellites. The spacecraft, based on Astrium's E3000 bus, will carry 63 transponders operating in the C, Ka, Ku, and L bands. The spacecraft will be delivered in late 2010 and will be launched by a Khrunichev-provided Proton rocket to 80 degrees east. Astrium and Khrunichev reportedly beat out a bid by Thales Alenia Space and NPO PM.

Related Links:

•  RIA Novosti article
•  Space News article (subscription required)
•  EADS Astrium press release