Meridian (satellite)

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Meridian ( Russian Меридиан , GRAY index 14F112) is the name of Russian communications satellites that orbit the earth on eccentric HEO orbits .

The satellites were developed and manufactured by NPO PM . A fleet of four Meridian satellites is to replace the outdated Molnija-1T and Molnija-3 satellites, which are responsible for both civil and military communications in northern parts of the country and at sea. In addition, Meridian is to take over the communication functions of the military Parus satellite system (Parus also performs navigation tasks). The guaranteed service life of the satellites is seven years. Due to the military use of the Meridian satellites, no images or technical data have been published.

The first satellite Meridian 1 was launched on December 24, 2006 with a Soyuz-2 / Fregat rocket from the Plesetsk cosmodrome . The satellite, which weighs around 2 tons, was launched from the Fregat stage about 3 hours after launch in a 1,012 × 39,816 km high orbit and was later successfully put into operation.

Start list

satellite begin NSSDC ID Remarks
Meridian No. 11L December 24, 2006, 08:34 UTC 2006-061A
Meridian No. 12L May 21, 2009, 21:53 UTC 2009-029A did not reach the desired orbit
Meridian No. 13L November 2, 2010, 00:59 UTC 2010-058A
Meridian No. 14L May 4, 2011, 17:41 UTC 2011-018A
Meridian No. 15L December 23, 2011, 12:08 UTC did not reach the desired orbit
Meridian No. 16L November 14, 2012, 11:42 UTC 2012-063A
Meridian No. 17L October 30, 2014, 01:43 UTC 2014-069A
Meridian No. 18L July 30, 2019, 05:56 UTC 2019-046A
Meridian No. 19L February 20, 2020, 08:24 UTC 2020-015A

All launches were carried out with a Soyuz-2-1a missile with a Fregat upper stage from launch complex 43 in Plesetsk .

swell

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Russian Meridian Satellite in orbit is working according to plan. RIA Novosti, December 25, 2006, accessed May 22, 2009 .