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Meridian

Spacecraft · Russia

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

Meridian
Meridian
Credit: Manufacturer Image

Russian new-generation military 12-hour elliptical orbit communications satellite designed to replace the Molniya series. Communication satellite built by ISS Reshetnev (ex NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki, NPO PM), Russia. Launched 2006 - 2014. Used 3-Axis stabilized Uragan-M bus.

Given its military nature, details remain classified. However numerous (sometimes conflicting) images of the satellite had appeared in the Russian media. The satellite reportedly retained the traditional pressurized electronics compartment and was three-axis stabilized.

Development of a Molniya replacement began before the collapse of the Soviet Union, with NPO-PM Reshnetev proposing its Mayak design, and Lavochkin its Nord concept. Both of these were initially designed for launch by the Zenit-3. By 1990-1992 the Zenit-2, being built in the Ukraine, was no longer considered for Russian military launches. It was proposed to launch either Mayak or Nord by the new Rus launch vehicle, but development of this was not forthcoming. However advances in electronics meant that the satellite could be down-sized; and sometime in the late 1990's NPO-PM was evidently contracted by the military to develop a lightweight version of Mayak that could be launched by the existing Soyuz/Fregat launch vehicle. First launch was made in 2006.

More at: Meridian.

Related

Country
Russia
Bibliography
1850, 2, 6699, 12821

Chronology

7 events

2006 December 24

08:34 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: Plesetsk LC43/4. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz-2-1A.
  • Meridian 1 - . Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: VKS. Manufacturer: Reshetnev bureau. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Glonass. Spacecraft: Meridian. USAF Sat Cat: 29668 . COSPAR: 2006-061A. Apogee: 39,093 km (24,291 mi). Perigee: 1,264 km (785 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 717.80 min.

    Launch rescheduled twice due to Soyuz 2 software problems. The Meridian satellite was designed to provide communication between vessels and airplanes involved in ice surveillance in the North Sea area, and coastal stations on the ground, as well as to expand a network of satellite communications in the northern regions of Siberia and the Russian Far East.

2009 May 21

21:53 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: Plesetsk LC43/4. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz-2-1A.
  • Meridian 2 - . Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: KVR. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Glonass. Spacecraft: Meridian. USAF Sat Cat: 35008 . COSPAR: 2009-029A. Apogee: 36,423 km (22,632 mi). Perigee: 328 km (203 mi). Inclination: 62.90 deg. Period: 646.00 min. Secon Meridian communications satellite. Third stage cut off early. Fregat upper stage ran out of fuel during second burn, leaving satellite in useless orbit..

2010 November 2

00:59 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: Plesetsk LC43/3. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz-2-1A.
  • Meridian 3 - . Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Glonass. Spacecraft: Meridian. USAF Sat Cat: 37212 . COSPAR: 2010-058A. Apogee: 39,395 km (24,478 mi). Perigee: 957 km (594 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 717.70 min. Third military communications satellite in this series..

2011 May 4

17:41 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: Plesetsk LC43/4. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz-2-1A.
  • Meridian 4 - . Payload: Meridian No. 14L. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Glonass. Spacecraft: Meridian. USAF Sat Cat: 37398 . COSPAR: 2011-018A. Apogee: 39,739 km (24,692 mi). Perigee: 968 km (601 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 724.90 min. Communications for the Russian Defense Ministry, and replacing the older Molniya satellites..

2011 December 23

12:08 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz-2-1B. FAILURE: Third stage shut down at 7:01 after launch. Stage and payload crashed in Siberia..
  • Meridian - . Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Glonass. Spacecraft: Meridian. Was to have been fifth launch of Meridian military communications satellite..

2012 November 14

11:42 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: Plesetsk LC43/4. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz-2-1A.
  • Meridian No. 16 - . Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Glonass. Spacecraft: Meridian. USAF Sat Cat: 38995 . COSPAR: 2012-063A. Apogee: 39,732 km (24,688 mi). Perigee: 986 km (612 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 725.20 min. Sixth Meridian military communications satellite for the Russian Defense Ministry..

2014 October 30

01:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: Plesetsk LC43/4. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz-2-1A.
  • Meridian No. 17L - . Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Class: Communications. Type: Communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Glonass. Spacecraft: Meridian. USAF Sat Cat: 40296 . COSPAR: 2014-069A. Apogee: 39,296 km (24,417 mi). Perigee: 1,056 km (656 mi). Inclination: 62.83 deg. Period: 717.73 min. Seventh in the series of communications satellites for the Russian Ministry of Defense in 12-hour Molniya orbits..