EADS Astrium wins contract to build and deliver to orbit Express AMU-1

The European satellite manufacturer EADS Astrium has won a contract to construct the communications satelllite Express AMU-1 for the Russian Satellite Communications Company.  The contract is expected to be signed shortly  The satellite will be operated from Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and will be positioned over 36 degrees East location.  The contract is valued at 6.35 billion Roubles ($210 million) and covers the construction launch and commissioning of the spacecraft.  The launch of the satellite is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2015.