Ekspress-80

Ekspress-80 is a Russian communications satellite which was launched in 2020. Part of the Ekspress series of geostationary communications satellites, it is owned and operated by the RSCC Space Communications.

Satellite description

Thales Alenia Space, constructed Ekspress-80 payload, and ISS Reshetnev constructed the satellite bus which was based on the Ekspress-1000N. The satellite has a mass of, provides 6.3 kilowatts to its payload, and a planned operational lifespan of 15 years. The satellite carried 38 transponders: 16 operating in the C-band of the electromagnetic spectrum, 20 in the Ku-band and 2 in the L-band.

Mission

The satellite is designed to provide TV and radio broadcasting services, data transmission, multimedia services, telephony, and mobile communications.

Launch

Ekspress-80 was originally to be launched in 2018, but was delayed to 2020. It used a Proton-M / Briz-M launch vehicle to be placed in a [Geostationary transfer orbit|supersynchronous Geostationary orbit|geostationary transfer orbit], as was Ekspress-103.

Mission

Roscosmos announced on 9 September 2020, that the Ekspress-80 satellite was damaged during its transfer to geostationary orbit, probably by space debris. However, the continuation of the transfer operations was not threatened. The satellite entered in service at orbital position 80° East on 15 March 2021.