The new broadcasting and communications satellite, Express-AM44, was launched on 11 February, 2009 on a Proton M launcher operated by ILS. The spacecraft was produced by NPO PM named after Academician M. Reshetnev jointly with Thales Alenia Space under the order of Russian Satellite Communications Company.

The satellite is designed to provide TV & radio broadcasting, telephony, data transmission, multimedia, mobile communications and uniform coverage.

The Express-AM44 spacecraft is equipped with up-to-date antenna systems, that provide high-quality communications. The satellite provides coverage to the Europe, Middle-East, Africa regions and East coast of America.