# Ekran 6
**Wikidata**: [Q16943293](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16943293)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ekran-6

## Summary
Ekran 6 was a Soviet geostationary communications satellite launched on December 26, 1980, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 using a Proton-K rocket equipped with a Blok-DM space tug. It was part of the Ekran satellite program designed to provide television broadcasting coverage across the Soviet Union.

## Key Facts
- Ekran 6 had the satellite catalog number 12120 and COSPAR designation 1980-104A.
- It was launched on December 26, 1980, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200.
- The satellite was deployed using a Proton-K carrier rocket equipped with a Blok-DM space tug.
- Ekran 6 belonged to the Ekran class of geostationary communications satellites developed by the Soviet Union.
- It had 1 Wikipedia sitelink, primarily available in Portuguese.
- Its Google Knowledge Graph identifier is /g/1q5bvv2lq.
- In Wolfram Language, it is referenced as Entity["Satellite", "12120"].

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Ekran 6?
A: Ekran 6 was designed to provide television broadcasting coverage across the Soviet Union as part of the Ekran satellite program. It was a geostationary communications satellite that enabled the distribution of television programming to remote areas.

### Q: When and where was Ekran 6 launched?
A: Ekran 6 was launched on December 26, 1980, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 using a Proton-K carrier rocket equipped with a Blok-DM space tug.

### Q: What was the significance of the Ekran satellite program?
A: The Ekran satellite program was significant as it provided television broadcasting coverage across the vast territory of the Soviet Union, enabling citizens in remote areas to access television programming. This was particularly important for political and cultural communication in a country with extensive and remote regions.

### Q: How does Ekran 6 relate to other Soviet satellites?
A: Like other Ekran satellites, Ekran 6 shared the same basic design parameters and mission objectives. It was part of the broader Ekran class of geostationary communications satellites, all designed for television broadcasting.

### Q: What technology was used to place Ekran 6 in orbit?
A: Ekran 6 was deployed using a Proton-K carrier rocket with a Blok-DM space tug, which was a common combination for Soviet geostationary satellites during this period.

## Why It Matters
Ekran 6 represents an important milestone in Soviet space communications technology during the Cold War era. As part of the Ekran satellite program, it addressed the critical challenge of providing television broadcasting across the vast territory of the Soviet Union. The program enabled centralized political messaging and cultural programming to reach citizens in remote areas that were otherwise difficult to access through traditional broadcast infrastructure. The development and operation of Ekran satellites demonstrated the Soviet Union's capabilities in geostationary satellite technology and contributed to the global advancement of communications satellite design. The Blok-DM space tug used with Ekran 6 was a significant technological achievement in itself, allowing for precise positioning of satellites in geostationary orbit, which remains a crucial capability for modern communications satellites.

## Notable For
- Being part of the Ekran satellite program, which was specifically designed for television broadcasting coverage across the Soviet Union
- Its use of the Blok-DM space tug for deployment to geostationary orbit, a common component for Soviet communications satellites
- Launch on December 26, 1980, during a period of active Soviet space program development
- Deployment from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200, the primary Soviet space launch facility
- Being cataloged with identifier 12120, linking it to international satellite tracking systems

## Body
### Overview
Ekran 6 was a Soviet geostationary communications satellite that was part of the Ekran satellite program. It was designed to provide television broadcasting coverage across the Soviet Union, particularly targeting remote areas where terrestrial broadcasting was impractical.

### Technical Specifications
- Satellite Catalog Number: 12120
- COSPAR ID: 1980-104A
- Class: Ekran (geostationary satellite)
- Space Tug: Blok-DM
- Launch Vehicle: Proton-K

### Mission and Purpose
As part of the Ekran program, Ekran 6 was tasked with providing television broadcasting services across the Soviet Union. The Ekran satellites were specifically designed for this purpose, using geostationary orbit to maintain continuous coverage over the vast Soviet territory.

### Launch Details
- Launch Date: December 26, 1980
- Launch Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200
- Launch Vehicle: Proton-K
- Space Tug: Blok-DM

### Program Context
The Ekran satellite program was a significant Soviet initiative in communications technology, developed to address the challenge of providing television broadcasting to the extensive and remote territories of the Soviet Union. Ekran 6 represented one of the satellites in this program, contributing to the Soviet Union's space-based communications infrastructure during the Cold War era.

### References in External Systems
- Wikipedia Languages: Portuguese (pt)
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/1q5bvv2lq
- Wolfram Language Entity Code: Entity["Satellite", "12120"]
- Sitelink Count: 1

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report