Ekspress A2
Ekspress A2 (Russian: Экспресс meaning Express), also designated Ekspress 6A and sometimes erroneously called Ekspress 2A, is a Russian communications satellite which is operated by Kosmicheskiya Svyaz. It was constructed by NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki and Alcatel Space and is based on the MSS-2500-GSO satellite bus. Launch occurred on 12 March 2000, at 04:07 GMT. The launch was contracted by Khrunichev, and used a Proton-K/DM-2M carrier rocket flying from Site 200/39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | Kosmicheskiya Svyaz |
| COSPAR ID | 2000-013A |
| SATCAT no. | 26098 |
| Mission duration | 7 years (Extended) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | MSS-2500-GSO |
| Manufacturer | NPO-PM Alcatel Space |
| Launch mass | 2,500 kilograms (5,500 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 12 March 2000 |
| Rocket | Proton-K/DM-2M |
| Launch site | Baikonur Cosmodrome 200/39 |
| Contractor | Khrunichev |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 103° East |
It is part of the Ekspress network of satellites.
Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geosynchronous orbit at 103° East, from where it provides communications services to Russia. It is equipped with seventeen transponders.
In 2015 the satellite was retired and moved to a graveyard orbit above the geostationary orbit.
References
- Krebs, Gunter. "Ekspress-A 1, 2, 3". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- "Express A2". Lyngsat. Archived from the original on 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- McDowell, Jonathan (2000-03-28). "Issue 422". Jonathan's Space Report. Archived from the original on 2011-06-08. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- "Express 2A". Geostationary Satellites. Sat-ND. 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2009-05-02.