Rome 18 December 2014
Last December 15 the Yamal-401 communications satellite of the Russian operator JSC Gazprom Space Systems was successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launch, by International Launch Services (ILS), was made by using a Proton rocket.
Yamal-401 is part of the Yamal-400 Program of Gazprom Space System, which also includes the Yamal-402, launched in December 2012, and the related ground segments. The satellite, which will have a service life of over 15 years, will be managed by the control center on the ground in Russia, built by Thales Alenia Space as part of the Yamal 402/401 contract.
Thales Alenia Space Italy, through the Electronics Competence Centre, provides a substantial contribution on both satellites, covering both some units of the payload and the antennas. On Yamal-401 in fact, built in the factories of ISS-Reshetnev, prime contractor for the project, Telemetry Transmitters Units and Remote control in C Band and Ku-Band Beacon Drive Band and C are embarked. On the Top Floor of the Satellite, it’s also present the Ku-band receiving antenna for coverage of Russian territory, made in L'Aquila site of Thales Alenia Space.