Ekspress-A3 (Russian: Экспрeсс-А3 meaning Express-A3), also designated Ekspress-3A, is a Russian communications satellite which is operated by Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) and EUTELSAT.[1]

Ekspress-A3
NamesЭкспрeсс-А3
Express-A3
Ekspress-A No.3
Ekspress-3A
Mission typeCommunication
OperatorRussian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) /
Eutelsat Communications
COSPAR ID2000-031A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.26378
Website<br%20/>https://www.eutelsat.com/en/home.html eng.rscc.ru/<br%20/>https://www.eutelsat.com/en/home.html
Mission duration7 years (planned)
9 years (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftEkspress-A3
Spacecraft typeKAUR
BusMSS-2500-GSO
ManufacturerNPO PM (bus)
Alcatel Space (payload)
Launch mass2,600 kg (5,700 lb)
Power2540 watts
Start of mission
Launch date24 June 2000, 00:28:00 UTC
RocketProton-K / DM-2M
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 200/39
ContractorKhrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
Entered serviceAugust 2000
End of mission
DisposalGraveyard orbit
DeactivatedSeptember 2009
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude11° West (2000–2009)
Transponders
Band17 transponders:
12 C-band
5 Ku-band
Coverage areaEurope, Middle East, North Africa, Russia

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.[2]

Launch

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The satellite was launched at Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 on 24 June 2000, at 00:28:00 UTC. The launch was made by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, and a Proton-K / DM-2M launch vehicle was used.[3]

Mission

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It is part of the Ekspress satellite constellation. Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geostationary orbit at 11° West, from where it provides communications services to Russia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Issue 429". Jonathan's Space Report. 4 July 2000. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Ekspress-A1, -A2, -A3". Gunter's Space Page. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Express A3". Geostationary Satellites. Satellite News Digest. 30 April 2009. Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
  4. ^ "Express A3". LyngSat. Archived from the original on 17 April 2009. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
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