During the state visit of President Putin to Italy, Alenia Spazio signed an important agreement with RSCC, the Russian satellite operator, under which the Finmeccanica group company has been awarded a contract to supply two payloads — on-board electronic systems — complete with antennas for the new generation of light satellites, called Express MD, for commercial telecommunications and TV in Russia. The agreement also includes an option for a further two systems.
Alenia Spazio has also signed an agreement for wide collaboration with Khrunichev that will strengthen the ties between the two companies in satellite programmes, where the Russian company will supply satellite platforms and Alenia Spazio payloads. The first result of the agreement is the co-operation on the Express MD programme.
The two agreements consolidate the collaboration that Alenia Spazio has had for some time with the Russian space agency (Rosaviakosmos) and other Russian companies, including GASCOM (GASPROM group), to supply telemetry and telecommand equipment, and a complex system of antennas, for two telecommunications and TV satellites of the Yamal-200 programme slated to be launched from the Baikonur base on November 20.
Co-operation is also on-going with RKK ENERGIA in building the ATV cargo vehicle to supply the International Space Station and for the construction of new-generation, large diameter (12 metres) antennas for mobile telecommunications.
