NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Ekspress-AM11

Launch Time
Mon Apr 26, 2004 20:37 UTC

Rocket

Proton-K/Block DM-2M
Roscosmos
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 9,548 kN
Payload to LEO: 19,000 kg
Payload to GTO: 2,500 kg
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 57.64 m
Fairing Diameter: 4.35 m
Fairing Height: 10.4 m

Mission Details

Ekspress-AM11

The Ekspress-AM 11 is a communications satellite for russian domestic communication services. The lifetime of the spacecraft has been increased to 12 years. While the spacecraft itself is built by russian RSCC (Kosmicheskiya Svyaz), the communication payloads is built by Alcatel, in France.

Ekspress AM-11 was hit on 28.03.2006 by either a micrometeorite or a piece of space debris, which lead to instantaneous depressurization of the thermal control system fluid circuit, followed by a sudden outburst of the heat-carrying agent. This resulted in a significant disturbing moment generation followed by the spacecraft orientation loss and rotation. After regaining control, the satellite was put into a graveyard orbit above GEO.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 2,542.0 kg
Geostationary Earth Orbit

Location

Site 200/39, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Stats

2004

15th orbital launch attempt

Proton-K

299th mission
2nd mission of 2004
264th successful mission
8th consecutive successful mission