Volga-Dnepr flies satellites from Montreal to remote Russian launch site

VOLGA-DNEPR Airlines has delivered Express AM5 and Express AM6 satellites from Canada to Russia on board two IL-76TD-90VD freighters from Montreal to aerospace launch site in Krasnoyarsk north of Mongolia.

The container used to move the satellites was equipped with a special temperature control system to ensure the satellites were protected throughout the transport process. During a scheduled technical stop in Haan Airport in Germany a diesel generator was connected to the container to keep the cargo at the required constant temperature.

Following completion of the first IL-76TD-90VD flight, the logistics company organised the logistics to move the special satellite container back to Montreal to prepare the second satellite for its delivery to Russia. It arranged for the container to be trucked to St Petersburg, from where it continued to Montreal by ship.

Despite the severe weather conditions caused by Hurricane Sandy raging along the coast of North America and low visibility in Krasnoyarsk during the second flight, the transport went well, a company release said.

Weighing more than eight tons each, satellites jointly produced by Russia and Canada to be used in Russia for multi-programme digital television and radio broadcasting. They will also be used to supply mobile presidential and governmental communications within the Russian Federation with a package of services including telephony, video conferencing, data transmission and internet access. Launches of the satellites are scheduled for 2013.