Ekspress-A4

Ekspress-A4 (Russian: Экспресс-A4 meaning Express-A4), is a Russian communications satellite which is operated by Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC). It was constructed by NPO PM and Alcatel Space and is based on the MSS-2500-GSO satellite bus.

Ekspress-A4
NamesЭкспресс-A1R
Express-A1R
Ekspress-A No. 4
Express-A4
Ekspress-4A
Atlantic Bird 14
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorRussian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC)
COSPAR ID2002-029A
SATCAT no.27441
Websiteeng.rscc.ru
Mission duration7 years (planned)
17.5 years (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftEkspress-A1R
Spacecraft typeKAUR
BusMSS-2500-GSO
ManufacturerNPO PM (bus)
Alcatel Space (payload)
Launch mass2,600 kg (5,700 lb)
Power2540 watts
Start of mission
Launch date10 June 2002, 01:14:00 UTC
RocketProton-K / Blok DM-2M
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 200/39
ContractorKhrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
Entered serviceAugust 2002
End of mission
DisposalGraveyard orbit
DeactivatedJanuary 2020
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude40° West (2002–2005)
14° West (2005–2015)
145° East (2016–2020)
Transponders
Band17 transponders:
12 C-band
5 Ku-band
Coverage areaRussia
 

Satellite

The launch was contracted by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, and used a Proton-K / Blok DM-2M launch vehicle flying from Site 200/39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.[1]

Launch

Ekspress-A4 is a Russian geosynchronous communications spacecraft that was launched on 10 June 2002 from Baikonur by a Proton-K launch vehicle at 01:14:00 UTC.[2] The 2,600 kg (5,700 lb) spacecraft carries 12 transponders in C-band and five in Ku-band to provide voice, data, and video communications in Russia.[3]

Mission

It is part of the Ekspress network of satellites. Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geostationary orbit at 40° West, from where it provides communications services to Russia.[4] It is equipped with seventeen transponders. In January 2020, the satellite was retired and moved to a graveyard orbit above the geostationary orbit.

References
  1. Krebs, Gunter (19 May 2020). "Ekspress-A1, -A2, -A3". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  2. "Issue 481". Jonathan's Space Report. 13 June 2002. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  3. "Express-4A". Satellite News Digest. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  4. "Express A1R". LyngSat. Archived from the original on 30 April 2009. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
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