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Russian Space ForcesLaunch SuccessfulCommunicationsSoyuz 2.1a/Fregat-M
Launched 2019-07-30 05:57 UTC43/4 (43R), Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation
Success
Reached Low Earth Orbit
Worldwide
51st
orbital launch attempt in 2019
Russian Space Forces
3rd
launch this year
43/4 (43R)
3rd
launch from this pad this year
Pad turnaround
19 d 12 h
since the pad's previous launch
The Meridian series of communications satellites is reported to be the replacement for all the Molniya-1T, the Molniya-3 and Molniya-3K satellite series and possibly also for the communication component of the Parus. They are launched into highly eccentric Molniya-orbits. Meridian is the highly eccentric orbit (HEO) component of the Integrated Satellite Communications System (ISSS), where they work in conjunction with the geostationary Raduga-1M (Globus-M) satellites. The bus structure is reportedly pressurized, possibly based on the Uragan-M bus. Meridian satellites carry three transponders operating in different frequency bands.
The Russian Space Forces are a branch of the Russian Aerospace Forces, that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and protection for Russia. Having been reestablished following August 1, 2015 merger between the Russian Air Force and the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces after a 2011 dissolving of the branch. The Russian Space Forces were originally formed on August 10, 1992 and the creation of the Russian Armed Forces.
Launches
158
Successful
150
95%
Upcoming
0
scheduled
Height
46.3m
Diameter
3m
To low Earth orbit
7,020kg
Liftoff thrust
4,149kN
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