Ekspress-A1 (Russian: Экспрeсс-А1 meaning Express-A1), also designated Ekspress-6A No.1, is a Russian communications satellite which is operated by Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC).

Ekspress-A1
NamesЭкспрeсс-А1
Express-A1
Ekspress-6A No.1
Mission typeCommunication
OperatorRussian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC)
Websitehttps://eng.rscc.ru/
Mission duration7 years (planned)
Failed to orbit
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftEkspress-A1
Spacecraft typeKAUR
BusMSS-2500-GSO
ManufacturerNPO PM (bus)
Alcatel Space (payload)
Launch mass2,600 kg (5,700 lb)
Power2540 watts
Start of mission
Launch date27 October 1999, 16:16:00 UTC
RocketProton-K / DM-2
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 200/39
ContractorKhrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
Entered serviceFailed to orbit
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit (planned) [1]
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude11° West
Transponders
Band17 transponders:
12 C-band
5 Ku-band
Coverage areaRussia

Satellite description

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It was constructed by NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki (ISS Reshetnev) and Alcatel Space and is based on the MSS-2500-GSO satellite bus. It is equipped with seventeen transponders.

Launch

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The satellite was launched at Baikonur Cosmodrome at Site 200/39 on 27 October 1999, at 16:16:00 UTC. The launch was made by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, and a Proton-K / DM-2 launch vehicle was used.[1] It is part of the Ekspress satellite constellation.

The Russian Ekspress-A1 communications satellite was launched in October 1999 but the Proton-K launch vehicle failed early in flight, during second stage burn. This is the second failure of the 8K82K Proton-K in 1999.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Ekspress-A1, -A2, -A3". Gunter's Space Page. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Issue 410". Jonathan's Space Report. 28 October 1999. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
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