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by | Mar 27, 2018 | Calanthe

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Ekspress-A2 (Russian: Экспресс-A2 meaning Express-A2), also designated Ekspress-6A No 2 and sometimes erroneously called Ekspress-2A, 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.

Satellite

The 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

Ekspress-2A is a Russian geosynchronous communications spacecraft that was launched on 12 March 2000 from Baikonur by a Proton-K launch vehicle at 04:07:00 UTC. USSPACECOM had tentatively named it Express-6A.[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 from the parked longitude of 80° east, supplementing the existing fleet of seven Gorizont, two Ekspress and an EKRAN-M. Ekspress are scheduled to replace the aging Gorizont fleet.[3]

Mission

It is part of the Ekspress network of satellites. Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geostationary orbit at 103° East, from where it provides communications services to Russia.[4] It is equipped with seventeen transponders. In October 2015, the satellite was retired and moved to a graveyard orbit above the geostationary orbit.

References

  1. ^ Krebs, Gunter (19 May 2020). "Ekspress-A1, -A2, -A3". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Issue 422". Jonathan's Space Report. 28 March 2000. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Express 2A". Geostationary Satellites. Satellite News Digest. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Express A2". LyngSat. Archived from the original on 30 April 2009. Retrieved 22 April 2021.

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