# Ekran 2
**Wikidata**: [Q16943298](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16943298)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ekran-2

## Summary
Ekran 2 is a Soviet geostationary satellite belonging to the Ekran class. Launched on September 20, 1977, it was deployed using a Proton-K carrier rocket and a Blok-DM space tug from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Ekran-class geostationary satellite
- **Launch Date:** September 20, 1977
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union
- **Launch Vehicle:** Proton-K carrier rocket
- **Space Tug:** Blok-DM
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 10365
- **COSPAR ID:** 1977-092A
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "10365"]

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Ekran 2 launch?
A: Ekran 2 was launched as part of the Soviet Union's Ekran class of geostationary satellites. It was delivered into orbit on September 20, 1977, to serve as a geostationary communication or broadcasting asset.

### Q: Which rocket was used to put Ekran 2 into orbit?
A: The satellite was launched using a Proton-K carrier rocket. The mission also utilized a Blok-DM space tug to assist in reaching its orbital destination.

### Q: Where did the Ekran 2 launch take place?
A: The launch was conducted at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Soviet Union. Specifically, the mission departed from Site 200.

## Why It Matters
Ekran 2 represents a significant technical milestone in the Soviet Union's development of geostationary satellite networks during the late 1970s. As an instance of the Ekran class, it was part of a specialized group of satellites designed to operate in a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface, a critical requirement for consistent telecommunications and broadcasting coverage. The mission's reliance on the Proton-K carrier rocket and the Blok-DM space tug highlights the sophisticated orbital delivery systems developed by the USSR to reach high-altitude orbits from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

The successful deployment of Ekran 2 at Site 200 underscores the operational capacity of Soviet space infrastructure during this era. By maintaining a presence in geostationary orbit, the Ekran series allowed the Soviet Union to expand its reach and manage communications across its vast geographic territory. For historians and space analysts, Ekran 2 serves as a documented example of the reliability of the Proton-K launch vehicle, which remained a primary heavy-lift rocket for decades. Its inclusion in international tracking databases via COSPAR ID 1977-092A and SCN 10365 ensures its continued relevance in the historical record of orbital mechanics and satellite evolution.

## Notable For
- **Geostationary Orbit:** Part of the Soviet Ekran class, which were among the early geostationary satellites operated by the USSR.
- **Heavy-Lift Launch:** Successfully deployed by the Proton-K, a carrier rocket with a significant history in both Soviet and Russian space flight.
- **Specific Orbital Hardware:** Utilized the Blok-DM space tug for precise orbital positioning.
- **Historical Launch Site:** Launched from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 on September 20, 1977.

## Body

### Mission Overview
Ekran 2 was a Soviet satellite mission launched on September 20, 1977. It is classified as an instance of the Ekran class of geostationary satellites. The mission was a significant event for the Soviet Union's space program, involving the coordination of heavy-lift launch vehicles and specialized upper-stage hardware.

### Launch Details and Infrastructure
The launch took place at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, specifically at Site 200. The primary vehicle for the mission was the Proton-K carrier rocket. To facilitate the transition to its final orbit, the mission employed a Blok-DM space tug. This combination of hardware was standard for Soviet missions requiring the delivery of heavy payloads to geostationary altitudes.

### Technical Identification
Ekran 2 is tracked and identified by several international and technical designations:
*   **SCN:** 10365
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1977-092A
*   **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/1q5bstvkt
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "10365"]

### Related Entities
The satellite is closely related to the broader Ekran class of geostationary satellites and the Proton-K carrier rocket system. While the Ekran class is associated with 13 sitelinks in historical databases, the Proton-K rocket is associated with 17, reflecting its extensive use in Soviet and Russian space operations.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report