Ekspress-AM2
{{Short description|Russian communications satellite}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = Ekspress-AM2
| names_list = Экспресс-АМ2
Ekspress-AM2
Express-AM2
| image =
| image_caption =
| image_size = 300px
| mission_type = Communications
| operator = Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC)
| COSPAR_ID = 2005-010A
| SATCAT = 28629
| website = {{url|https://eng.rscc.ru}}
| mission_duration = 12 years (planned)
11 years (achieved)
| spacecraft = Ekspress-AM2
| spacecraft_type = KAUR
| spacecraft_bus = MSS-2500-GSO
| manufacturer = NPO PM (bus)
Alcatel Space (payload)
| launch_mass = {{cvt|2542|kg}}
| dry_mass = {{cvt|596|kg}}
| dimensions =
| power = 6 kW
| launch_date = 29 March 2005, 21:31:00 UTC
| launch_rocket = Proton-K / DM-2M
| launch_site = Baikonur, Site 200/39
| launch_contractor = Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
| entered_service = May 2005
| disposal_type = Graveyard orbit
| deactivated = 2016
| last_contact =
| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit{{cite web|url=https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=28629|title=EXPRESS-AM2|publisher=N2YO.com|access-date=23 April 2021}}
| orbit_regime = Geostationary orbit
| orbit_longitude = 80° East (2005–2016)
| apsis = gee
| trans_band = 29 transponders:
16 C-band
12 Ku-band
1 L-band
| trans_frequency =
| trans_bandwidth =
| trans_capacity =
| trans_coverage = Russia, CIS
| programme = Ekspress constellation
| previous_mission = Ekspress-AM1
| next_mission = Ekspress-AM3
}}
Ekspress-AM2 ({{langx|ru|Экспресс-АМ2}}, meaning Express-AM2) is a Russian domestic communications satellite. It belongs to the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) based in Moscow, Russia. To provide of communications services (digital television, telephony, videoconferencing, data transmission, the Internet access) and to deploy satellite networks by applying VSAT technology to Russia and its neighbors (CIS).{{cite web|url=https://www.satbeams.com/satellites?norad=28629|title=Satellite Ekspress-AM2|publisher=SatBeams|access-date=23 April 2021}}
Satellite description
The satellite has a total of 29 transponders, was 16 C-band, 12 Ku-band and 1 L-band transponders. The Ekspress-AM2 Russian domestic communications satellite, built by Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev (NPO PM) for Kosmicheskaya Svyaz. The communications payload was built by the French company Alcatel Space.{{cite web|url=https://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.546.txt|title=Report # 546|publisher=Jonathan's Space Report |date=14 April 2005|access-date=23 April 2021}}
Launch
Ekspress-AM2 was launched by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, using a Proton-K / DM-2M launch vehicle. The launch took place at 21:31:00 UTC on 29 March 2005, from Site 200/39 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.{{cite web|url=https://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt |title=Launch Log|publisher=Jonathan's Space Report|date=14 March 2021|access-date=23 April 2021}} Successfully deployed into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), Ekspress-AM2 raised itself into an operational geostationary orbit using its apogee motor.
Mission
Ekspress-AM2 was retired in 2016 and was moved into a graveyard orbit above the geostationary belt.{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ekspress-am-2.htm|title=Ekspress-AM2, -AM3|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|date=11 December 2017|access-date=23 April 2021}}
References
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
{{reflist}}
{{Ekspress}}
{{Orbital launches in 2005}}