Ekspress-MD1
[1][6] Ekspress-MD1 was a geostationary communications satellite developed by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center on the Yakhta setellite bus.It is a small, three axis stabilized, satellite bus designed for direct geostationary orbit and as such it lacked an apogee kick motor.[4][3] It was designed to provide mobile presidential and governmental communications, digital TV and Radio broadcasting services, Internet access, data transfer, video conferencing in Russia and CIS countries from the 80° East orbital position.While smaller than the other satellites of the Ekspress constellation, it enabled RSCC to have a second local supplier after its traditional contractor ISS Reshetnev.[2] In April 2007, RSCC Acting Director General Yuri Izmailov stated that Ekspress-MD1 and Ekspress-AM4 were the company to priority and would launch by December 2007.