Ekspress-A4 (Russian: Экспресс-A4 meaning Express-A4), is a Russian communications satellite which is operated by Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC). It was constructed by NPO PM and Alcatel Space and is based on the MSS-2500-GSO satellite bus.
| Names | Экспресс-A1R Express-A1R Ekspress-A No. 4 Express-A4 Ekspress-4A Atlantic Bird 14 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) |
| COSPAR ID | 2002-029A |
| SATCAT no. | 27441 |
| Website | eng |
| Mission duration | 7 years (planned) 17.5 years (achieved) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Ekspress-A1R |
| Spacecraft type | KAUR |
| Bus | MSS-2500-GSO |
| Manufacturer | NPO PM (bus) Alcatel Space (payload) |
| Launch mass | 2,600 kg (5,700 lb) |
| Power | 2540 watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 10 June 2002, 01:14:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Proton-K / Blok DM-2M |
| Launch site | Baikonur, Site 200/39 |
| Contractor | Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center |
| Entered service | August 2002 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Graveyard orbit |
| Deactivated | January 2020 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 40° West (2002–2005) 14° West (2005–2015) 145° East (2016–2020) |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 17 transponders: 12 C-band 5 Ku-band |
| Coverage area | Russia |
Satellite
editThe launch was contracted by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, and used a Proton-K / Blok DM-2M launch vehicle flying from Site 200/39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.[1]
Launch
editEkspress-A4 is a Russian geosynchronous communications spacecraft that was launched on 10 June 2002 from Baikonur by a Proton-K launch vehicle at 01:14:00 UTC.[2] The 2,600 kg (5,700 lb) spacecraft carries 12 transponders in C-band and five in Ku-band to provide voice, data, and video communications in Russia.[3]
Mission
editIt is part of the Ekspress network of satellites. Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geostationary orbit at 40° West, from where it provides communications services to Russia.[4] It is equipped with seventeen transponders. In January 2020, the satellite was retired and moved to a graveyard orbit above the geostationary orbit.
References
edit
- ^ Krebs, Gunter (19 May 2020). "Ekspress-A1, -A2, -A3". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ "Issue 481". Jonathan's Space Report. 13 June 2002. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ "Express-4A". Satellite News Digest. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ "Express A1R". LyngSat. Archived from the original on 30 April 2009. Retrieved 22 April 2021.