Russia successfully launched the EXPRESS 80 and EXPRESS 103 communications satellites into Geostationary Transfer Orbit an a Proton M/Briz M vehicle. The mission lifted-off at 2125 GMT on 30 July from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The two satellites will be used to provide communications services to Russia and surrounding countries. The Russian operator RSCC will take ownership of the satellites in orbit.
The EXPRESS 80 satellite is carrying 16 C-band transponders, 20 Ku-band transponders and two L-band transponders and will be located at 80 degrees East. The EXPRESS 103 satellite is carrying 16 C-band transponders, 20 Ku-band transponders and one L-band transponder and will be located at 96.5 degrees East with 103 degrees East serving as a reserve position.
The night time Proton launch with its dual payload. Courtesy of Space Center “Yuzhny” and Roscosmos.
