The Express-3A satellite was developed by NPO PM, Russia, in cooperation with Alcatel Espace, France. Express-3A carries 17 high-power transponders in C and Ku bands for retransmission of any traffic within its service area.

Its unique trans-Atlantic C-band beam reaches from the U.S. East Coast and Canada to northern and western Africa, eastern and western Europe and the Middle East. This beam is used for U.S.-Africa, Russia-Cuba, Europe-Africa, Russia-Africa and Russia-Middle East service.

Intersputnik’s customers use Express-3A in international telephone trunk networks, VSAT networks and for internet access in Africa.

In mid-2008, this satellite is planned to be replaced with the new Express-AM44 spacecraft.