LaunchesMeridian-M No.18
Russian Space ForcesSUCCESS
Meridian-M No.18
Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat-M · Communications
Jul 30, 2019 · 05:57 UTC43/4 (43R), Plesetsk Cosmodrome
Mission
The Meridian series of communications satellites is reported to be the replacement for all the Molniya-1T, the Molniya-3 and Molniya-3K satellite series and possibly also for the communication component of the Parus. They are launched into highly eccentric Molniya-orbits. Meridian is the highly eccentric orbit (HEO) component of the Integrated Satellite Communications System (ISSS), where they work in conjunction with the geostationary Raduga-1M (Globus-M) satellites. The bus structure is reportedly pressurized, possibly based on the Uragan-M bus. Meridian satellites carry three transponders operating in different frequency bands.
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Mission Facts
- Provider
- Russian Space Forces
- Rocket
- Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat-M
- Orbit
- LEO
- Pad
- 43/4 (43R)
- NET precision
- Hour
- Data source
- LL2