The first telecommunications satellite Eutelsat 16 / C Seasat - built for Eutelsat by an integrated team of ISS Reshetnev, as first contractor and Thales Alenia Space as payload supplier - marked the beginning of cooperation between the Russian and European space industries .
The Eutelsat satellite, designed by contract for an operational life in 10 orbit years and launched the 17 April 2000 with a Proton rocket, has offered users a high degree of operational flexibility, as it is equipped with a wide beam and a spot adjustable in switching between them.
The satellite was deorbited after 17 years and 10 months of operational service. According to what Thales Alenia Space reported in a note - it was a record.
More than 30 were projects carried out in collaboration with the Iss Reshetnev. The project in question represented:
- a wider opening of the Russian market (35 payloads or satellites already delivered or under construction by Thales Alenia Space. The Eutelsat / 16C / Sesat payload offered 18 Ku band channels, allowing Eutelsat to offer television broadcasting, broadcasting data and video, broadband internet, telelearning, telemedicine and software transfer services.);
- launching joint programs with a Russian manufacturer for export markets;
- the implementation of an industrial cooperation plan with the Russian space industry at the equipment level.