Meridian 3 (Russian: Меридиан-3), also known as Meridian No.13L, was a Russian communications satellite. It was the third satellite to be launched as part of the Meridian system to replace the older Molniya series.

Meridian 3 was launched by a Soyuz-2 rocket. The Soyuz-2.1a configuration was used, along with a Fregat-M upper stage. The launch occurred from Site 43/4 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome at 00:58:39 GMT on 2 November 2010.[1]

It was constructed by ISS Reshetnev and is believed to be based on the Uragan-M satellite bus,[2] which has also been used for GLONASS navigation satellites. It operates in a Molniya orbit with a perigee of 900 kilometres (560 mi), an apogee of 39,000 kilometres (24,000 mi), and 65° inclination.[2]

References

  1. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  2. ^ a b Krebs, Gunter. "Meridian (14F112)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-05-21.

External links