Ekran-M Credit: © Mark Wade |
AKA: 11F647M. Status: Operational 1987. First Launch: 1987-01-30. Last Launch: 2001-04-07. Number: 6 . Gross mass: 1,976 kg (4,356 lb).
The original Ekran spacecraft were upgraded to the Ekran-M model in the second half of the 1980's. All spacecraft in the series were positioned near 99 degrees E and transmitted directly to simple individual or communal receivers at 0.7 GHz with a powerful 200 W transponder. The Ekran-M spacecraft weighed approximately two metric tons and carried two transponders. The solar arrays were augmented in comparison to Ekran to provide 1.8 kW of power. Although the original Ekran spacecraft were exceptionally short-lived, the Ekran-M markedly surpassing the cited 9-year design life. A modified Ekran-M, called Ekran-D, was proposed to permit digital transmissions of a broader assortment of information.
Ekran-M Credit: NPO PM |
Ekran-M Credit: USAF Phillips Laboratory |
Ekran 17 Credit: Manufacturer Image |
Stationed at 99 deg E. Transmitting USSR Central Television programmes to a network of communal receivers. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 99 deg E in 1988-1992 As of 5 September 2001 located at 125.85 deg W drifting at 15.807 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 124.58E drifting at 15.805W degrees per day.
Stationed at 99 deg E. Transmission of Central Television programmes to a network of receivers for collective use. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 99 deg E in 1988-1996 As of 28 August 2001 located at 156.78 deg W drifting at 13.031 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 173.37E drifting at 13.036W degrees per day.
Transmission of television programmes to a network of multiple user receiving stations. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 99 deg E in 1992-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 79.69 deg E drifting at 0.201 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 78.67E drifting at 0.192E degrees per day.
Direct Broadcasting satellite. Maiden flight of new version of Proton. Launch delayed from August 2000, March 16 and April 6. Ekran-M No. 18 was a UHF television broadcasting satellite which was to be stationed at 99 deg E to provided television service to the Russian Far East. The satellite had a launch mass of around 2100 kg and was to replace the recently failed Ekran-M 15 that had been operating since October 1992 at the 105 deg-E longitude orbital slot.
The improved 3-stage Proton launch vehicle, with a new digital flight control system and enhanced first stage engines, delivered its payload section to a suborbital trajectory at 0356 GMT. The Briz-M upper stage then fired to enter a 200 km parking orbit. It appears that only two more burns were used to reach geostationary orbit: one at around 0440 GMT to enter a 200 x 35800 km GTO, after which the Briz-M toroidal drop tank was jettisoned, and one at around 1000 GMT, to circularize the orbit at geostationary altitude. Briz-M reportedly separated from its payload at 1031 GMT. Ekran was expected to reach its 99 deg E final location on around April 24. As of 5 September 2001 located at 99.27 deg E drifting at 0.009 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 99.30E drifting at 0.005W degrees per day.