The EXPRESS-1000 mid weight satellite platform was developed to increase spacecraft efficiency, including longer lifetimes and larger payload capacities.

One of the main advantages of the platform is lesser mass made possible by switching to a non-sealed equipment bay. Composite materials and honeycombs have replaced the sealed metal container that once served as the spacecraft’s main structure.

The onboard equipment configuration and manufacturing methods have undergone major changes as well, in a large scale effort undertaken both in-house and by affiliated enterprises.

The EXPRESS-1000 platform’s maiden flight was within LOUTCH-5A and AMOS-5, the two satellites launched at the end of 2011.

Since then, 12 more communication and data relay satellites based on EXPRESS-1000 platform were built and launched for both domestic and international customers. Construction is underway for yet another one, EXPRESS-AMU4.

Switching to the non-sealed EXPRESS-1000 allowed for building satellites with both more capacity and more room for communication and broadcasting payload equipment.