Vyacheslav Yermolin, March 22, 2022

Mission:

Communication satellite. The second of 4 additional communication satellites ordered in 2016. In orbit VEO "Molniya". It has a dual purpose - communication in the northern regions of Russia and serving the military.

Link to high quality image

Motto:

"Communication in northern latitudes for civil and military"

There is no official motto.

Start time and place:

March 22, 2022 at 12:48 UTC.

Launch pad No. 43/4 at the Plesetsk cosmodrome, Russia.

Launch vehicle:

Soyuz-2.1a is a three-stage launch vehicle (LV) of the middle class, for launching various spacecraft. It is a modification of the Soyuz-2 family of space rockets, developed by upgrading the Soyuz-U launch vehicle.

Payload:

Meridian-M - Dual purpose communications satellite. The Meridian SC constellation at the HEO is designed to operate as part of the Integrated Satellite Communication System (ISSS) together with the Raduga-1M SC at the GSO. It is part of the Unified Automated Digital Communication System (OADSS) of the RF Armed Forces.

Orbit:

Molniya-type highly elliptical orbit974 x 39767 km, 62.83°

Interesting:

— 31st launch in 2022. One accident.

- The 5th launch of Russia this year. Successful.

- 20th launch of the configuration of the Soyuz 2.1a launch vehicle with the Fregat launch vehicle.

- The cost of the launch vehicle is about $35 million (price for Russian customers).

- The cost of launching 1 kg of payload to LEO is at least $5,000.

Link to high quality image

Announcement from Everyday Astronaut

Article from the NSF portal

Mission Information Anatoly Zak

Personal opinion:

Support for dual purpose satellite communication system. There are currently seven working vehicles in orbit.

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