Ekspress-80 Explained

Ekspress-80
Names List:Экспресс-80
Express-80
Mission Type:Communications
Operator:RSCC Space Communications (RSCC)
Cospar Id:2020-053B
Satcat:45986
Mission Duration:15 years (planned)
(in progress)
Spacecraft:Ekspress-80
Spacecraft Type:Ekspress
Spacecraft Bus:Ekspress-1000H
Manufacturer:ISS Reshetnev (bus)
Thales Alenia Space (payload)
Power:6.300 kW
Launch Date:30 July 2020, 21:25:19 UTC[1]
Launch Rocket:Proton-M / Briz-M
Launch Site:Baikonur, Site 200/39
Launch Contractor:Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
Entered Service:15 Mars 2021
Orbit Reference:Geocentric orbit
Orbit Regime:Geostationary orbit
Orbit Longitude:80° East (2020–present)
Apsis:gee
Trans Band:38 transponders:
16 C-band
20 Ku-band
2 L-band
Trans Coverage:Russia, CIS
Insignia Size:200px
Programme:Ekspress constellation
Previous Mission:Ekspress-103
Next Mission:Ekspress-AMU3

Ekspress-80 (Russian: Экспресс-80 meaning Express-80) is a Russian communications satellite which was launched in 2020. Part of the Ekspress series of geostationary communications satellites, it is owned and operated by the RSCC Space Communications.

Satellite description

Thales Alenia Space, constructed Ekspress-80 payload, and ISS Reshetnev constructed the satellite bus which was based on the Ekspress-1000N. The satellite has a mass of, provides 6.3 kilowatts to its payload, and a planned operational lifespan of 15 years. The satellite carried 38 transponders: 16 operating in the C-band of the electromagnetic spectrum, 20 in the Ku-band and 2 in the L-band.[2]

Mission

The satellite is designed to provide TV and radio broadcasting services, data transmission, multimedia services, telephony, and mobile communications.[2]

Launch

Ekspress-80 was originally to be launched in 2018, but was delayed to 2020. It used a Proton-M / Briz-M launch vehicle to be placed in a supersynchronous geostationary transfer orbit (16,593 km x 54,812 km x 0.62°), as was Ekspress-103 (16,581 km x 5,4811 km x 0.64°).[3]

Mission

Roscosmos announced on 9 September 2020, that the Ekspress-80 satellite was damaged during its transfer to geostationary orbit, probably by space debris. However, the continuation of the transfer operations was not threatened. The satellite entered in service at orbital position 80° East on 15 March 2021.[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Russian Proton M successfully launches Ekspress-AM8. Chris. Bergin. NASASpaceFliught.com. 14 September 2015. 25 March 2021.
  2. Web site: Express-80 (80°E). RSCC Space Communications. 24 April 2021.
  3. Web site: Ekspress-80. Gunter's Space Page. 21 July 2019. 24 April 2021.
  4. Web site: Proton-M - 30 juillet 2020. Kosmonavtika. 26 March 2021. 24 April 2021.