Ekspress-AM7
{{Short description|Russian communications satellite}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = Ekspress-AM7
| names_list = Экспресс-АМ7
Express-AM7
| image =
| image_caption =
| image_size = 300px
| mission_type = Communications
| operator = RSCC
| COSPAR_ID = 2015-012A
| SATCAT = 40505
| website = {{url|https://eng.rscc.ru}}
| mission_duration = 15 years (planned)
{{time interval|18 March 2015|show=ymd}} (in progress)
| spacecraft = Ekspress-AM7
| spacecraft_type = Ekspress
| spacecraft_bus = Eurostar-3000
| manufacturer = EADS Astrium
| launch_mass = {{cvt|5720|kg}} {{cite web|url=http://rscc.ru/space/future/34/|title=Express AM7|publisher=Russian Satellite Communications Company|access-date=19 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402111513/http://rscc.ru/space/future/34/|archive-date=2 April 2015}}
| dry_mass = {{cvt|1439|kg}}
| dimensions =
| power = 18 kW
| launch_date = 18 March 2015, 22:05:00 UTC{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/03/russian-proton-m-ekspress-am7/|last1=Bergin |first1=Chris|title=Russian Proton-M launches with Ekspress-AM7 mission|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|access-date=19 March 2015}}
| launch_rocket = Proton-M / Briz-M
| launch_site = Baikonur, Site 200/39
| launch_contractor = Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
| entered_service = April 2015
| disposal_type =
| deactivated =
| last_contact =
| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit{{cite web|url=http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=40505|title=EXPRESS AM7|publisher=N2YO.com|access-date=23 April 2021}}
| orbit_regime = Geostationary orbit
| orbit_longitude = 40° East (2015–present)
| apsis = gee
| trans_band = 62 transponders:
24 C-band
36 Ku-band
2 L-band
| trans_frequency =
| trans_bandwidth =
| trans_capacity =
| trans_coverage = Russia, CIS
| insignia =
| insignia_caption =
| insignia_size = 200px
| programme = Ekspress constellation
| previous_mission = Ekspress-AM6
| next_mission = Ekspress-AM8
}}
Ekspress-AM7 ({{langx|ru|Экспресс-АМ7}} meaning Express-AM7) is a Russian communications satellite operated by the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC).
Satellite description
EADS Astrium, was contracted in March 2012, which had become part of Airbus Defence and Space by the time of the satellite's launch, constructed Ekspress-AM7, which was based on the Eurostar-3000 satellite bus.{{cite web|url=http://www.space-airbusds.com/en/programme/express-am4r-and-express-am7.html|title=Express-AM4R and Express-AM7|publisher=Airbus Defense and Space |access-date=19 March 2015}} The satellite has a mass of {{cvt|5720|kg}}, provides 18 kilowatts to its payload, and a planned operational lifespan of 15 years. The satellite carried 62 transponders: 24 operating in the C-band of the electromagnetic spectrum, 36 in the Ku-band and 2 in the L-band. It is a replacemt for Ekspress-AM1.{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ekspress-am-1.htm|title=Ekspress-AM1|publisher=Gunter' Space Page|date=11 December 2017|access-date=25 March 2021}}
Launch
Khrunichev was contracted to launch Ekspress-AM7, using a Proton-M / Briz-M launch vehicle - the same configuration that had failed to deploy the similar Ekspress-AM4 and Ekspress-AM4R. The launch took place from Site 200/39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, at 22:05:00 UTC on 18 March 2015. The satellite was deployed into the planned geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ekspress-am-7.htm |title=Ekspress-AM7|publisher=Gunter' Space Page|date=11 December 2017|access-date=25 March 2021}}
See also
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}