August 25, 2021
Categories: Roscosmos, Satellites

The Express-AM5 satellite operated by the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) is used in restoring communications and the Internet in the regions of Yakutia affected by fires.

Forest fires have swept over 7 million hectares in Yakutia, burning out an area comparable to that of a small European country. Residential buildings and social infrastructure have been damaged, in some places there is no electricity supply and communication.

To restore the Internet in villages and establish facilities for prompt notification of local inhabitants, specialists of the regional telecom operator ArcticTelecom use VSAT satellite communication stations and the capabilities of the Express-AM5 satellite at 140° E orbital position. Television, radio and satellite Internet are now available in almost all affected settlements.

‘A satellite is the most reliable means of communication both in the process of eliminating the consequences of disasters and in preventing them. Every year in Russia, up to 100 emergencies occur involving shutdowns of ground networks. The reliability of the satellite network on such occasions is almost 100%. But for the system to work smoothly in emergency situations, it must be within reach of local inhabitants and, naturally, of emergency services.

In the event of a disaster, there is no time to set up equipment and train personnel. In Yakutia, satellite communication networks were built in 2005 and integrated into the region’s general communication infrastructure. In the current situation of forest fires, this plays a key role in the prompt restoration of communications in the republic’, emphasizes Alexei Volin, RSCC Director General.

The Express-AM5 satellite was built by the Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev company (ISS, part of Roscosmos) at the order of the Russian Satellite Communications Company. It is designed to provide digital television and radio broadcasting on the territory of Russia, ensure mobile presidential and government communications, to provide a package of multiservice services.

Express-AM5 is the first ISS satellite based on the Express-2000 heavy-class platform. In terms of energy and mass resources, it is several times superior to the platform of the previous spacecraft of the series. Thanks to the large dimensions of the Express-2000, it can accommodate more target equipment, which will significantly increase the satellite’s power.

More from this category:
December 17, 2014

NPO Energomash concluded with American Corporation Orbital Science a contract for delivery of RD-181 engines to be used for the first stage of Antares rocket…

full story
June 4, 2013

Proton-M heavy booster with European SES-6 communication satellite was launched from Baikonur coxmodrome, – Khrunichev Centre (constructed Proton-M booster and Briz-M upper stage) representative told…

full story
November 20, 2013

The International Space Station is a stronghold of the mankind on the orbit. It goes round the Earth 16 times a day at the height…

full story
August 26, 2013

Three senior managers at Russia’s Khrunichev space company were dismissed over a Proton-M space rocket’s crash last month, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Friday….

full story
December 2, 2016

Progress MS-04 cargo vehicle launched to the ISS on December 01, 2016, at 17:51:52, Moscow time, burst at the altitude of 190 km above desolate…

full story
April 25, 2022

Prelaunch processing of the cargo transportation spacecraft Progress MS-20 continues in the integration and test facility of Site 254 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Today, at…

full story
November 19, 2021

The Progress M-UM cargo spacecraft-module carrying the Prichal Node Module has been sent to final assembly with the launch vehicle at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Today…

full story
January 13, 2025

The creation of simulators that will train cosmonauts from Russia and friendly countries to work on the Russian orbital station will start this year. According…

full story