Meridian 1

Meridian 1 (Russian: Меридиан-1), also known as Meridian No.11L, was a Russian communications satellite. It was the first satellite to be launched as part of the Meridian system, which will replace the older Molniya series.

This article is about the satellite, for the telephone see Nortel Meridian
Meridian 1
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorVKS
COSPAR ID2006-061A
SATCAT no.29668
Mission durationMission failure
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerISS Reshetnev
Start of mission
Launch date24 December 2006 (2006-12-24)
RocketSoyuz-2.1a/Fregat
Launch sitePlesetsk 43/4
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeMolniya
Perigee altitude2,473 kilometres (1,537 mi)
Apogee altitude37,882 kilometres (23,539 mi)
Inclination65 degrees
Period717 minutes
Epoch6 July 2014
 

Meridian 1 was the first Russian Government satellite to be launched by a Soyuz-2 rocket. The Soyuz-2.1a configuration was used, along with a Fregat upper stage. The launch occurred from Site 43/4 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome at 08:34:44 GMT on 24 December 2006.[1]

It was constructed by ISS Reshetnev and is believed to be based on the Uragan-M satellite bus,[2] which has also been used for GLONASS navigation satellites. It operates in a Molniya orbit with a perigee of 900 kilometres (560 mi), an apogee of 39,000 kilometres (24,000 mi), and 65° inclination.[2]

The satellite entered service on 1 February 2007. By May 2009 it had failed. NPO-PM reported that an impact with a piece of debris had caused the spacecraft to malfunction.[3]

References
  1. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
  2. Krebs, Gunter. "Meridian (14F112)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  3. Zak, Anatoly. "The Meridian satellite (14F112)". RussianSpaceWeb. Archived from the original on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
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