Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat-M | Meridian-M No.18

Launch Provider & Rocket

• Provider: Russian Space Forces (Government)
• Rocket: Soyuz 2.1a Fregat-M — Soyuz family

Mission

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.

• Type: Communications
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

Launch Site

• Pad: 43/4 (43R)
• Location: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation
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