Ekspress AM8
Ekspress-AM8 (Russian: Экспресс-АМ8 meaning Express-AM8) is a Russian communications satellite which was launched in 2015. Part of the Ekspress series of geostationary communications satellites, it is owned and operated by the RSCC Space Communications.
 | |
| Names | Экспресс-АМ8 Express-AM8 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | RSCC Space Communications (RSCC) |
| COSPAR ID | 2015-048A |
| SATCAT no. | 40895 |
| Website | eng |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) 8 years, 1 month and 11 days (in progress) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Ekspress-AM8 |
| Spacecraft type | Ekspress |
| Bus | Ekspress-1000H |
| Manufacturer | ISS Reshetnev (bus) Thales Alenia Space (payload) |
| Launch mass | 2,100 kg (4,600 lb) |
| Dry mass | 661 kg (1,457 lb) |
| Power | 5.880 kW |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 14 September 2015, 19:00:00 UTC[1] |
| Rocket | Proton-M / Blok DM-03 |
| Launch site | Baikonur, Site 81/24 |
| Contractor | Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center |
| Entered service | 1 December 2015 [2] |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 14° West (2015–present) |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 38 transponders: 24 C-band 12 Ku-band 2 L-band |
| Coverage area | Russia, CIS |
Satellite description
Thales Alenia Space, constructed Ekspress-AM8 payload, and ISS Reshetnev constructed the satellite bus which was based on the Ekspress-1000NTB. The satellite has a mass of 2,100 kg (4,600 lb), provides 5.9 kilowatts to its payload, and a planned operational lifespan of 15 years. The satellite carried 62 transponders: 24 operating in the C-band of the electromagnetic spectrum, 12 in the Ku-band and 2 in the L-band.[2]
Mission
The satellite is designed to provide TV and radio broadcasting services, data transmission, multimedia services, telephony, and mobile communications.[2]
Launch
Ekspress-AM8 was originally to be launched in 2012 or 2013 into RSCC's 14° West longitude, but was delayed to 2015. It used a Proton-M / Blok DM-03 launch vehicle to be inserted directly into geostationary orbit.[3]
See also
References
- Bergin, Chris (14 September 2015). "Russian Proton M successfully launches Ekspress-AM8". NASASpaceFliught.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- "Express-AM8". RSCC Space Communications. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- "Ekspress-AM8". Gunter's Space Page. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2021.