Ekspress-AM4R

Ekspress-AM4R (Russian: Экспресс-АМ4Р meaning Express-AM4R) [3] was a Russian communications satellite intended for operation by the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC). Constructed as a replacement for Ekspress-AM4, which was left unusable after the upper stage of the launch vehicle carrying it malfunctioned, Ekspress-AM4R was also lost due to a launch failure.[4]

Ekspress-AM4R
NamesЭкспресс-АМ4Р
Express-AM4R
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorRussian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC)
Websitehttps://eng.rscc.ru/
Mission duration15 years (planned)
Failed to orbit
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftEkspress-AM4R
Spacecraft typeEurostar
BusEurostar-3000
ManufacturerEADS Astrium
Launch mass5,775 kg (12,732 lb) [1]
Dry mass1,465 kg (3,230 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date15 May 2014, 21:42:00 UTC[2]
RocketProton-M / Briz-M
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 200/39
ContractorKhrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
Entered serviceFailed to orbit
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit (planned)
RegimeGeosynchronous orbit
Longitude80° East
Transponders
Band63 transponders:
30 C-band
28 Ku-band
2 Ka-band
3 L-band
Coverage areaRussia
 

Satellite description

Astrium, which had become part of Airbus Defence and Space by the time of the satellite's launch, constructed Ekspress-AM4R, which was based on the Eurostar-3000 satellite bus.[5] It was identical in design to Ekspress-AM4, with a mass of 5,775 kg (12,732 lb) and a planned operational lifespan of fifteen years. The satellite carried sixty-three transponders: thirty operating in the C-band of the electromagnetic spectrum, twenty eight in the Ku-band, two in the Ka-band and three in the L-band. It was to have been the largest and most powerful satellite in the Ekspress constellation.[1]

Launch

Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center was contracted to launch Ekspress-AM4R, using a Proton-M / Briz-M launch vehicle - the same configuration that had failed to deploy Ekspress-AM4. The launch took place from Site 200/39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, at 21:42:00 UTC on 15 May 2014. Shortly after launch the launch vehicle was reported to have encountered a problem during third stage flight, and as a result the satellite failed to reach orbit.[2]

References
  1. Krebs, Gunter (11 December 2017). "Ekspress-AM4, -AM4R". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  2. Graham, William; Bergin, Chris (15 May 2014). "Russian Proton-M suffers failure during Ekspress-AM4R launch". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  3. "Ракета "Протон-М" для запуска "Экспресс-АМ4Р" доставлена на Байконур". RIA Novosti. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  4. Zak, Anatoly. "Proton fails again with Ekspress satellite". RussianSpaceWeb.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  5. "Express-AM4R and Express-AM7". Astrium. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
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