Russia to launch three comsats in 2007, two in 2008

Russia will put three new communication satellites into orbit this year and another two next year, the acting director of a state-run satellite communications company said Wednesday.

Yury Izmailov said an Express-AM33 comsat will be launched in September and another two satellites, Express-AM44 and Express-MD1, in December.

He said another two satellites, Express-AM4 and Express-MD2, will be sent into space next year.

Izmailov said previously that 15 new communications satellites will be launched before 2015 under a new Federal Space Program to provide mobile communications for the president and government, and digital TV and radio broadcasts for the majority of remote regions in Russia and the CIS.

Last year, Russia lost its Express AM11 satellite when it apparently collided with space junk, causing it to spin and leave its orbit.

The satellite, equipped with 30 transponders, was put into orbit April 27, 2004. It was built jointly with France's Alcatel Space and Sodern, with some equipment made in Germany and Japan. The spacecraft was supposed to remain in orbit at least 12 years.