The Express-AM44 satellite is an RSCC spacecraft set for launch in Q2 2008 to 11? W.

This satellite is planned to replace the existing Express-1 No.3 currently operating in this orbital position.

Express-AM44 will have a C- and Ku-band payload, a trans-Atlantic C-band zone beam, a C-band global beam and two Ku-band zone beams to cover Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.<\p>

This new satellite features high power characteristics that will noticeable reduce ground equipment costs. Its steerable-beam antennas are best suited for varying market requirements.

Ordered by RSCC, the Express-AM33/44 satellites are being built by NPO PM (Zheleznogorsk, Krasnoyarsk Territory) in cooperation with Alcatel Alenia Space France (AASF, Toulouse, France). The payload module is being developed and manufactured by AASF.