| Ekspress-AM8 | |
| Names List: | Экспресс-АМ8 Express-AM8 |
| Mission Type: | Communications |
| Operator: | RSCC Space Communications (RSCC) |
| Cospar Id: | 2015-048A |
| Satcat: | 40895 |
| Mission Duration: | 15 years (planned) (in progress) |
| Spacecraft: | Ekspress-AM8 |
| Spacecraft Type: | Ekspress |
| Spacecraft Bus: | Ekspress-1000H |
| Manufacturer: | ISS Reshetnev (bus) Thales Alenia Space (payload) |
| Power: | 5.880 kW |
| Launch Date: | 14 September 2015, 19:00:00 UTC[1] |
| Launch Rocket: | Proton-M / Blok DM-03 |
| Launch Site: | Baikonur, Site 81/24 |
| Launch Contractor: | Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center |
| Entered Service: | 1 December 2015 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric orbit |
| Orbit Regime: | Geostationary orbit |
| Orbit Longitude: | 14° West (2015–present) |
| Apsis: | gee |
| Trans Band: | 38 transponders: 24 C-band 12 Ku-band 2 L-band |
| Trans Coverage: | Russia, CIS |
| Insignia Size: | 200px |
| Programme: | Ekspress constellation |
| Previous Mission: | Ekspress-AM7 |
| Next Mission: | Ekspress-AMU1 |
Ekspress-AM8 (Russian: Экспресс-АМ8 meaning Express-AM8) is a Russian communications satellite which was launched in 2015. Part of the Ekspress series of geostationary communications satellites, it is owned and operated by the RSCC Space Communications.
Thales Alenia Space, constructed Ekspress-AM8 payload, and ISS Reshetnev constructed the satellite bus which was based on the Ekspress-1000NTB. The satellite has a mass of, provides 5.9 kilowatts to its payload, and a planned operational lifespan of 15 years. The satellite carried 62 transponders: 24 operating in the C-band of the electromagnetic spectrum, 12 in the Ku-band and 2 in the L-band.[2]
The satellite is designed to provide TV and radio broadcasting services, data transmission, multimedia services, telephony, and mobile communications.[2]
Ekspress-AM8 was originally to be launched in 2012 or 2013 into RSCC's 14° West longitude, but was delayed to 2015. It used a Proton-M / Blok DM-03 launch vehicle to be inserted directly into geostationary orbit.[3]