Express-A3 (Ekspress-3A) was a Russian geostationary communications satellite operated by RSCC (Russian Satellite Communications Company) as part of the Express-A series, designed to expand Russia’s national and regional satellite communications infrastructure.

Launched in 2000 aboard a Proton-K / DM-2 rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Express-A3 was positioned in geostationary orbit (GEO) to provide coverage over Russia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and parts of the Middle East.

Built on the NPO PM Express-A satellite platform, Express-A3 carried a mixed payload of C-band and Ku-band transponders, enabling a wide range of services including:

• Television and radio broadcasting
• Fixed satellite services (FSS)
• Data transmission and VSAT networks
• Government and commercial communications

With a design life of approximately 12 years, Express-A3 played a key role in modernizing Russia’s satellite fleet during the early 2000s, supporting both civilian and governmental connectivity needs. It later became part of RSCC’s broader transition toward more advanced platforms such as the Express-AM and Express-AT series, which offered higher power and greater capacity.

Overall, Express-A3 represents an important step in the evolution of Russia’s domestic GEO communications capabilities at the turn of the 21st century.