ZHELEZNOGORSK, Krasnoyarsk Territory. Dec 8 (Interfax-AVN) - The Reshetnev Applied Mechanics Research and Production Association, based in Zheleznogorsk, is ready to offer Russian and foreign customers the whole range of satellites, Valery Lvov, head if the association's business planning service, told Interfax-Military News Agency.
"Depending on the satellite, required by the customer, the Association is ready to offer any of its own platforms, namely Express-1000, Express-2000 and Platform 767," Lvov said.
He said that the Association was developing a new-generation platform, designated Express-1000 and designed for small-size satellites with the payload module power amounting to about 2 kW.
"It will have passed qualification tests by mid-2005. We are also fulfilling a contract, envisioning a satellite, based on this platform," Lvov said.
According to him, the new non-pressurized satellite will have a service life of 15 years. The satellite is being developed jointly with the French Alcatel Espase.
The Express-2000 platform is based on components designed for the small platform, but will provide for developing larger satellites with the payload module power of 7 kW plus.
According to Lvov, medium-size satellites are based on Platform 767.
He also said that expensive great-power satellites were no longer popular in the space market, while the demand for small-size satellites was increasing.
The Applied Mechanics Association is Russia's flagship designer and manufacturer of civil and military spacecraft. It has developed in excess of 1,200 satellites since it was established 45 years ago.
At the present time the Association is the world's only enterprise experienced in developing and operating satellites in all orbits. According to the Association's authorities, the main workstream consists in developing long-term satellites with a service life of 10 or more years.