Meridian-M No.18
Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat-M
Russian Space Forces
Mission
Meridian-M No.18
Type: Communications
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.
Location
43/4 (43R)
Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation
1659 rockets have launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation.
Rocket
Soyuz 2.1a Fregat-M – Progress Rocket Space Center
Family: Soyuz
Length: 46.3 m
Diameter: 2.95 m
Launch Mass: 312 T
Low Earth Orbit Capacity: 7020 kg
The Soyuz 2.1a Fregat-M was manufactured by Progress Rocket Space Center with the first launch on 2010-10-19. Soyuz 2.1a Fregat-M has 16 successful launches and 1 failed launches with a total of 17 launches. The 2.1a version includes conversion from analog to digital flight control system and uprated engines on the booster and the first stage with improved injection systems. The new digital flight control and telemetry systems allow the rocket to launch from a fixed rather than angled launch platform and adjust its heading in flight. A digital control system also enables the launch of larger commercial satellites with wider and longer payload fairings such as the ST-type fairing. These fairings introduce too much aerodynamic instability for the old analog system to handle.
Agency
Russian Space Forces
Type: Government
Abbreviation: VKS
Administration: Commander: Aleksandr Golovko
Founded: 1992
Country: RUS
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.
