OREANDA-NEWS. December 28, 2011. AMOS-5 and Loutch-5A satellites manufactured by Academician M.F. Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems were placed into orbit on December 11, 2011.

The two spacecraft were launched aboard a Proton-M/Breeze-M launch vehicle. The launch went off according to plan. With the satellites’ foldable mechanical structures successfully deployed, AMOS-5 and Loutch-5A have entered the attitude determination phase.

The telecommunications satellite AMOS-5 was designed and manufactured by the Reshetnev Company for the Israeli operator SPACE COMMUNICATION LTD. The spacecraft is based on ISS Reshetnev’s Express 1000H unpressurized platform designed to provide excellent characteristics and a 15-year lifetime. AMOS-5 carries 36 C- and Ku-band transponders. Thales Alenia Space, the AMOS-5 payload subcontractor, supplied repeaters and antennas. AMOS-5 will provide communication, broadcasting and broadband services over Africa and Israel.

The data-relay satellite Loutch-5A was designed and manufactured by Academician M.F. Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems within the scope of the Federal Space Program for 2006-2015. The Loutch-5A is based on ISS Reshetnev’s Express 1000 unpressurized platform. It is the first satellite in a series intended for the multifunctional data relay system Loutch. Since it was the first contract for the Reshetnev Company to design and manufacture a complete relay subsystem, its successful implementation opened up new opportunities for the company. Loutch-5A will provide communications between ground control segments and low-orbiting spacecraft, launching vehicles and their upper stages. Loutch-5A will also receive and transmit KOSPAS-SARSAT distress signals, meteorological data, navigation signals as well as data from the International Space Station.