# Ekspress-AM4

> Russian communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q2498163](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2498163)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekspress-AM4)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ekspress-am4

## Summary
Ekspress-AM4 was a Russian communications satellite launched in 2011 to provide telecommunications services from geostationary orbit. It failed shortly after launch and re-entered Earth's atmosphere in March 2012, ending its mission prematurely. The satellite was part of Russia's Express series, operated by the Russian Satellite Communications Company.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 17, 2011, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200.
- **Failure and Decay**: Experienced a malfunction and re-entered the atmosphere on March 25, 2012.
- **Operator**: Russian Satellite Communications Company.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Proton-M rocket with a Briz-M upper stage.
- **Identifiers**: COSPAR ID 2011-045A, Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 37798.
- **Intended Orbit**: Geostationary orbit (failed to maintain operational status).

## FAQs
### Q: When was Ekspress-AM4 launched?
A: Ekspress-AM4 was launched on August 17, 2011, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 in Kazakhstan.

### Q: What happened to Ekspress-AM4 after launch?
A: The satellite failed shortly after deployment and re-entered Earth's atmosphere on March 25, 2012, due to a malfunction.

### Q: Who operated Ekspress-AM4?
A: The satellite was operated by the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC), a state-owned enterprise managing Russia's satellite fleet.

## Why It Matters
Ekspress-AM4 represents a critical, though unsuccessful, component of Russia's telecommunications infrastructure. As part of the Express satellite series, it was designed to deliver broadcasting, broadband, and mobile services across Russia. Its failure highlights the risks and complexities of space operations, particularly those involving the Proton-M launch vehicle, which has a history of mixed success. The incident underscored the importance of reliable satellite deployments for national communication networks and may have influenced subsequent improvements in launch and spacecraft systems. Despite its short lifespan, Ekspress-AM4 remains a notable example of the challenges faced in maintaining orbital telecommunications assets.

## Notable For
- **Launch Failure and Rapid Decay**: Failed to achieve operational status and re-entered the atmosphere within months, an unusual outcome for geostationary satellites designed for years of service.
- **Proton-M/Briz-M Deployment**: Utilized Russia's Proton-M rocket and Briz-M upper stage, a common but sometimes problematic launch configuration.
- **Part of the Express Series**: Contributed to Russia's broader Express satellite constellation, aimed at ensuring national communication sovereignty.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
- **Launch Vehicle**: Proton-M (a Russian heavy-lift rocket) with a Briz-M upper stage (space tug).
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 in Kazakhstan.
- **Date**: August 17, 2011.

### Mission and Failure
- **Intended Purpose**: Provide telecommunications services, including television, radio, and internet connectivity, from geostationary orbit.
- **Failure**: The satellite malfunctioned post-launch, preventing it from entering operational service. Specific failure details were not disclosed in primary sources.
- **Decay**: Re-entered Earth's atmosphere on March 25, 2012, disintegrating over the Pacific Ocean.

### Technical Specifications
- **Identifiers**: 
  - COSPAR ID: 2011-045A
  - Satellite Catalog Number (SCN): 37798
- **Operator**: Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC).
- **Orbit Type**: Geostationary (intended).

### Legacy
- The failure of Ekspress-AM4 may have informed subsequent mission safeguards and redundancy measures in Russian satellite deployments.
- It remains a case study in the risks of single-launch satellite projects and the importance of pre-launch testing and contingency planning.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013