ZHELEZNOGORSK, Krasnoyarsk Territory. Nov 28 (Interfax-AVN) - The Reshetnev applied mechanics research and production association is planning to increase the output of communication satellites at the average global pace, Reshetnev Director General and Designer General Albert Kozlov said on Monday.
"It is difficult to increase the association's share on the global market, because the market is constantly growing. But we have plans to increase the output at the global market growth pace," Kozlov told Interfax-Military News Agency.
He disclosed expert data on volumes of orders for satellite production in 2000-2003. Contracts provided for U.S. head developers to make 62 satellites worth $7.8 billion (79 percent of the global market) and for European developers to make 16 satellites worth $1.5 billion (15.3 percent of the global market).
Over that period, the Reshetnev association got the order to manufacture four satellites worth $240 million (2.4 percent), and the Energia rocket and space corporation two satellites worth $120 million (one percent).
According to the data disclosed, the world's largest satellite manufacturers over that period were Hughes (32 satellites, $3.87 billion, 39.6 percent of the market), Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (14 satellites, $2.22 billion, 22.7 percent), Space Systems/Loral (14 satellites, $1.51 billion, 13.7 percent), Alcatel Space (11 satellites, $1.07 billion, 10.9 percent), and Matra Marconi Space (four satellites, $340 million, 3.5 percent). These companies are followed by Reshetnev and Energia.
The Reshetnev association specializes in making information satellites. Two thirds of the Russian spacecraft currently in orbit were designed and manufactured by the association. Over the 45 years of its history, the association's experts have created and launched over 1,100 satellites, including the latest Express-AM telecommunications spacecraft, forming the core of the Russian communications satellite force.