Meridian 3

Meridian 3
Mission type Communications
Operator VKS
COSPAR ID 2010-058A
SATCAT № 37212
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer ISS Reshetnev
Start of mission
Launch date 02 November 2010 (2010-11-02)
Rocket Soyuz-2.1a/Fregat-M
Launch site Plesetsk 43/4
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Molniya
Semi-major axis 26,556 kilometres (16,501 mi)
Eccentricity 0.6782
Perigee 2,165 kilometres (1,345 mi)
Apogee 38,191 kilometres (23,731 mi)
Inclination 62.83 degrees
Period 717 minutes
Epoch 27 July 2014

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, which will 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]

External links

References

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


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