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.