Ekspress-AM6
Ekspress-AM6 (Russian: Экспресс-АМ6 meaning Express-AM6) is a Russian communications satellite which was launched in 2014. The satellite has replaced the older Ekspress-AM22, at 53° East. Part of the Ekspress series of geostationary communications satellites, it is owned and operated by the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC).
| Names | Экспресс-АМ6 Express-AM6 Eutelsat 53A |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) |
| COSPAR ID | 2014-064A |
| SATCAT no. | 40277 |
| Website | eng |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) 9 years and 4 days (in progress) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Ekspress-AM6 |
| Spacecraft type | Ekspress |
| Bus | Ekspress-2000 |
| Manufacturer | ISS Reshetnev (bus) MDA Corporation (payload) |
| Launch mass | 3,358 kg (7,403 lb) |
| Power | 14 kW |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 21 October 2014, 15:09:32 UTC[1] |
| Rocket | Proton-M / Briz-M |
| Launch site | Baikonur, Site 81/24 |
| Contractor | Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center |
| Entered service | May 2015 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit[2] |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 53° East (2014–present) |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 72 transponders: 14 C-band 44 Ku-band 12 Ka-band 2 L-band |
| Coverage area | Europe, Middle East, Russia, CIS |
Satellite description
The satellite has 14 C-band, 44 Ku-band, 12 Ka-band and 2 L-band transponders.[3]
Launch
The satellite was launched on a Proton-M / Briz-M launch vehicle from Baikonur Cosmodrome. The Briz-M upper stage shut down too early in the fourth burn and left the satellite in a lower than planned orbit. The satellite reached the operational geostationary orbit by using its own propulsion.[3]
List of providers
| Company | Market | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) | Russia and CIS | https://www.rscc.ru |
| Wide Network Solutions (WNS) | Europe and Middle East | https://www.widenetworks.net |
Eutelsat 53A
Five transponders are leased to Eutelsat and are marketed under the name Eutelsat 53A since May 2015.[3]
See also
References
- Bergin, Chris (21 October 2014). "Russian Proton-M launches Ekspress-AM6 satellite – orbit unclear". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
- "Express-AM6". N2YO.com. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- "Ekspress-AM6 (Eutelsat 53A)". Gunter's Space Page. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2021.