Cannes, December 15, 2014 - The Yamal-401 telecommunications satellite of the Russian operator JSC Gazprom Space Systems was successfully launched today from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan by International Launch Services (ILS) using a Proton rocket.

Yamal-401 was built by ISS-Reshetnev as prime contractor, with Thales Alenia Space supplying the repeater assembly and antennas, as well as the onboard TT&C and ground control facilities, and satellite AIT* services to support the customer in Siberia and Baikonur.

Built on the Express 2000 platform, Yamal-401 is fitted with 36 Ku-band transponders and 17 C-band transponders. It covers all of Russia and the CIS from its position in geostationary orbit at 90° East. The satellite weighed 2 976 kg at launch, and offers a design life exceeding 15 years.

Yamal-401 will be controlled from a ground control center in Russia, built by Thales Alenia Space as part of the Yamal 402/401 contract.

"We are very proud to celebrate this latest success with JSC Gazprom Space Systems and ISS-Reshetnev," said Jean-Loïc Galle, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space. "The Yamal-401 satellite reflects the successful partnership between Thales Alenia Space and Russia, which kicked off in the 1990s".                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

*Assembly, Integration & Tests

About Thales Alenia Space

Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%), is a key European player in space telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, exploration and orbital infrastructures. Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio form the two parent companies' "Space Alliance", which offers a complete range of services and solutions. Because of its unrivaled expertise in dual (civil/military) missions, constellations, flexible payloads, altimetry, meteorology and high-resolution optical and radar instruments, Thales Alenia Space is the natural partner to countries that want to expand their space program. The company posted consolidated revenues in excess of 2 billion euros in 2013, and has 7,500 employees in six countries. www.thalesaleniaspace.com

Thales Alenia Space Press Contacts:

Sandrine Bielecki, Tel: +33 (0)4 92 92 70 94, sandrine.bielecki@thalesaleniaspace.com

Chrystelle Dugimont, Tel: +33 (0)4 92 92 74 06, chrystelle.dugimont@thalesaleniaspace.com

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