Ekspress A2

Ekspress A2 (Russian: Экспресс meaning Express), also designated Ekspress 6A and sometimes erroneously called Ekspress 2A, is a Russian communications satellite which is operated by Kosmicheskiya Svyaz. It was constructed by NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki and Alcatel Space and is based on the MSS-2500-GSO satellite bus. Launch occurred on 12 March 2000, at 04:07 GMT. The launch was contracted by Khrunichev, and used a Proton-K/DM-2M carrier rocket flying from Site 200/39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

Ekspress A2
Mission typeCommunication
OperatorKosmicheskiya Svyaz
COSPAR ID2000-013A
SATCAT no.26098
Mission duration7 years
(Extended)
Spacecraft properties
BusMSS-2500-GSO
ManufacturerNPO-PM
Alcatel Space
Launch mass2,500 kilograms (5,500 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date12 March 2000 (2000-03-12)
RocketProton-K/DM-2M
Launch siteBaikonur Cosmodrome 200/39
ContractorKhrunichev
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeostationary
Longitude103° East
 

It is part of the Ekspress network of satellites.

Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geosynchronous orbit at 103° East, from where it provides communications services to Russia. It is equipped with seventeen transponders.

In 2015 the satellite was retired and moved to a graveyard orbit above the geostationary orbit.

References

    • Krebs, Gunter. "Ekspress-A 1, 2, 3". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
    • "Express A2". Lyngsat. Archived from the original on 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
    • McDowell, Jonathan (2000-03-28). "Issue 422". Jonathan's Space Report. Archived from the original on 2011-06-08. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
    • "Express 2A". Geostationary Satellites. Sat-ND. 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
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