As a result of the EXPRESS-A project, a new generation of spacecraft joined Russia’s national orbital fleet. These spacecraft exceeded the previous generation EXPRESS satellites by a magnitude of four in terms of throughput and signal quality.
The EXPRESS-A launch on March, 12 2000 laid the foundation for creating a three-satellite system, which in 2002 began transmitting digital TV signals over Russia. The satellites were also used for radio broadcasting and all types of communication. Operating well beyond their design lifetime of seven years, the first, second and third of EXPRESS-A series clocked off at fifteen, ten, and twelve years of service respectively.
