Ekspress A3
Ekspress A3 (Russian: Экспре́сс А3 meaning Express A3), also designated Ekspress 3A, is a Russian communications satellite which is operated by Kosmicheskiya Svyaz and Eutelsat. It was constructed by NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki and Alcatel Space and is based on the MSS-2500-GSO satellite bus. The satellite was launched at Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 on 24 June 2000, 00:28 UTC. The launch was made by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, and a Proton-K/DM-2M carrier rocket was used.
| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | Kosmicheskiya Svyaz Eutelsat |
| COSPAR ID | 2000-031A |
| SATCAT no. | 26378 |
| Mission duration | 7 years (Extended) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | MSS-2500-GSO |
| Manufacturer | NPO-PM Alcatel Space |
| Launch mass | 2,500 kilograms (5,500 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 24 June 2000 |
| Rocket | Proton-K/DM-2M |
| Launch site | Baikonur Cosmodrome 200/39 |
| Contractor | Khrunichev |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 11° West |
It is part of the Ekspress satellite network.
Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geosynchronous orbit at 11° West, from where it provides communications services to Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. It is equipped with seventeen transponders.
References
- Krebs, Gunter. "Ekspress-A 1, 2, 3". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- "Express A3". Lyngsat. Archived from the original on 2009-04-17. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- McDowell, Jonathan (2000-07-04). "Issue 429". Jonathan's Space Report. Archived from the original on 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- "Express A3". Geostationary Satellites. Sat-ND. 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2009-05-02.