# Ekran 9
**Wikidata**: [Q16943290](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16943290)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ekran-9

## Summary  
Ekran 9 is a Soviet geostationary communications satellite, part of the Ekran series designed for television broadcasting and secure military communications. Launched on September 16, 1982, it was deployed using a Proton-K rocket with a Blok-DM space tug from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The satellite is identified by COSPAR ID 1982-093A and SCN number 13554.

## Key Facts  
- Launched on **September 16, 1982** from **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200**  
- Part of the **Ekran class** of geostationary satellites operated by the **Soviet Union**  
- Launched aboard a **Proton-K** carrier rocket with a **Blok-DM** upper stage  
- Assigned **COSPAR ID**: 1982-093A  
- Satellite Catalog Number (**SCN**): 13554  
- Instance of the **Ekran** satellite model  
- Has one sitelink in Wikipedia (Portuguese)  
- Identified in external systems via **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /g/1q5bsz8pq and **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: Satellite/13554  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Ekran 9?  
A: Ekran 9 is a Soviet-era geostationary satellite used for television broadcasting and military communications. It was launched in 1982 as part of the broader Ekran satellite program.

### Q: When was Ekran 9 launched?  
A: Ekran 9 was launched on **September 16, 1982**, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan using a Proton-K rocket.

### Q: Which rocket was used to launch Ekran 9?  
A: Ekran 9 was launched using the **Proton-K** carrier rocket, assisted by a **Blok-DM** upper stage for orbital insertion.

## Why It Matters  
Ekran 9 represents a key component of the Soviet Union's strategic satellite communications infrastructure during the Cold War era. As part of the Ekran program, it enabled secure and reliable transmission of television signals and military data across vast geographic areas, supporting both civilian and defense needs. Its successful deployment demonstrated the USSR’s advanced capabilities in space-based telecommunications technology. Satellites like Ekran 9 were instrumental in maintaining centralized communication networks within the Soviet system, particularly in remote regions where terrestrial infrastructure was limited. This made them vital assets for governance, media distribution, and national security operations.

## Notable For  
- Being among the later launches in the **Ekran series**, which pioneered Soviet geostationary communications  
- Utilizing the high-performance **Proton-K/Blok-DM** launch configuration  
- Supporting dual-use functions: **television broadcasting** and **military communications**  
- Demonstrating mature Soviet expertise in **geostationary orbit deployment**  
- Identified by multiple international tracking identifiers including **COSPAR ID 1982-093A** and **SCN 13554**

## Body  

### Mission Overview  
Ekran 9 was developed and operated by the Soviet Union as part of its long-term strategy to establish robust satellite communications. Designed primarily for use over the Eastern Hemisphere, it contributed to the country's ability to broadcast state-run television programs and facilitate secure inter-agency communications.

### Launch Details  
The satellite was successfully launched on **September 16, 1982**, at approximately 00:00 UTC. The mission originated from **Launch Site 200** at the **Baikonur Cosmodrome**, then part of the Kazakh SSR under Soviet control.

#### Launch Vehicle Configuration  
- Primary launcher: **Proton-K** (a heavy-lift Russian/Soviet rocket)  
- Upper stage: **Blok-DM** (used for precise orbital placement into geostationary transfer orbit)

### Technical Classification  
- **Instance Of**: Ekran-class satellite  
- **Purpose**: Television and military communications  
- **Orbit Type**: Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO)  
- **Country of Origin**: Soviet Union  

### Identification Numbers  
To distinguish it internationally and track its orbital behavior, several standard cataloging systems assigned unique identifiers:
- **COSPAR ID**: 1982-093A  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 13554  
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /g/1q5bsz8pq  
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: Satellite/13554  

### Operational Context  
As part of the broader Ekran program, Ekran 9 played a role in reinforcing the USSR’s domestic and governmental communication network. These satellites typically had extended service lives and supported critical infrastructure during their operational periods.

### Legacy and Documentation  
While detailed public documentation about individual missions such as Ekran 9 remains sparse, historical records confirm its place within the lineage of Soviet GEO comsats. It reflects the technological maturity of the Soviet space industry in the early 1980s.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report