. Although this will be the second attempt to launch an Express A-type spacecraft, the satellite received an official name -- Express 6-A -- to reflect the fact that it is intended to replace the aging Express 6 spacecraft.
Launched in September 1996 and positioned 80 degrees east above the equator, Express 6 suffered an attitude control failure, when its thrusters were unable to maintain its position in space. This caused it to swing uncontrollably north and south of the equator.
As a result, many newer and smaller communication facilities on the ground, which require highly accurate pointing of the satellite's antennas to receive a signal, can not use the spacecraft. RSCC now plans to replace the bird with the Express 6-A positioned in the same orbital position.
The Express A series also promises longer life for their transmitters (transponders) and higher volume of communications than in the previous generation of spacecraft.
According to the current schedule, Express 6-A will be launched between March 5 and 10. The launch was previously planned for February 29.
In an agreement reached last year, Intersputnik, a Moscow-based commercial communications company, will rent from RSCC seven out of the 12 C-band transponders on board Express 6-A.
"We are working hard to modernize the Intersputnik Communications System, and the addition of two new state-of-the-art satellites will enable us to meet the requirements of today's telecommunications market," Intersputnik Director General Gennady Kudryavtsev said.
Express 6-A is expected to be in operational service by April 2000. Among other services, Intersputnik expects to provide digital television and broadcasting through the satellite.
The third Express A to go
If everything goes as planned, a third Express A spacecraft will be launched by a Proton booster between June 20 and June 25, 2000.
Officially called Express 3-A, it will also have the task of replacing an ailing predecessor. Positioned 11 degrees west longitude over the equator, the spacecraft will replace the Gorizont 26 satellite, also known as Statsionar 11. Intersputnik plans to rent Express 3-A channels to provide high-speed internet access in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America.
Intersputnik was established in the former Soviet Union in 1971 and it currently has 23 member nations. The company serves the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean regions. Its fleet of geostationary spacecraft includes the advanced Lockheed Martin-built satellite LMI 1. There are plans to launch at least two more LMI-type spacecraft.
Nothing is scrapped
After the Express 6-A and 3-A successfully achieve their orbits, the battered predecessors they replace are unlikely to be scrapped.
RSCC is considering moving Express 6 east and station it at 103 or 140 degrees east longitude, where it could cover the eastern portion of Russia with whatever capacity left on board.
Plans to use Gorizont 26 have not been finalized, sources in the Russian communications industry have told SPACE.com. However, these sources say it is very likely Gorizont 26 will also be moved in one of the secondary orbital positions to serve as a backup for the new spacecraft.
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