# Ekspress MD2

> Russian communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q2680777](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2680777)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekspress_MD2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ekspress-md2

## Summary
Ekspress MD2 is a Russian communications satellite launched on August 6, 2012, to provide telecommunications services from geostationary orbit. It was deployed using a Proton-M rocket with a Briz-M upper stage, marking a key addition to Russia's satellite infrastructure. The satellite is part of the broader Ekspress series, designed to support broadcasting, broadband, and mobile communications.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 6, 2012
- **Launch Vehicle**: Proton-M rocket with Briz-M upper stage
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24
- **COSPAR ID**: 2012-044B
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 38745
- **Orbit Type**: Geostationary orbit
- **Class**: Communications satellite
- **Related Launch Vehicle Family**: Proton (Soviet/Russian)

## FAQs
### Q: When was Ekspress MD2 launched?
A: Ekspress MD2 was launched on August 6, 2012, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

### Q: What type of rocket was used to launch Ekspress MD2?
A: The satellite was launched using a Proton-M rocket, a heavy-lift vehicle in the Proton family, with a Briz-M upper stage for orbital insertion.

### Q: What is the primary function of Ekspress MD2?
A: It serves as a communications satellite, providing telecommunications services such as broadcasting, broadband internet, and mobile communications from geostationary orbit.

## Why It Matters
Ekspress MD2 plays a critical role in Russia's telecommunications infrastructure, enabling reliable communication services across the country and neighboring regions. As part of the Ekspress satellite series, it contributes to media broadcasting, internet access, and government communications, underscoring Russia's investment in space-based technologies. Its deployment via the Proton-M rocket highlights the continued reliance on Soviet-era launch systems, adapted for modern payloads. The satellite’s geostationary position allows for continuous coverage of a specific region, making it essential for both civilian and commercial applications. By extending the lifespan and capacity of Russia's satellite network, Ekspress MD2 helps maintain the country's competitiveness in global telecommunications.

## Notable For
- **Geostationary Orbit**: Positioned to provide fixed coverage over a specific region, ensuring consistent communication services.
- **Proton-M Launch Vehicle**: Demonstrates the use of Russia’s flagship heavy-lift rocket for critical space missions.
- **Briz-M Upper Stage**: Utilizes a propulsion system designed for precise orbital maneuvers, reflecting advanced Russian space technology.
- **Ekspress Series Membership**: Part of a family of satellites central to Russia’s telecommunications strategy.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date**: August 6, 2012
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24 (Kazakhstan)
- **Rocket**: Proton-M (launch vehicle) with Briz-M (space tug)
- **Mission**: Deployment to geostationary orbit for telecommunications services

### Technical Specifications
- **COSPAR ID**: 2012-044B (international designation)
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 38745
- **Orbit**: Geostationary (approx. 35,786 km altitude)
- **Function**: Relays telecommunications signals for broadcasting, internet, and mobile services

### Mission Context
- **Operator**: Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC)
- **Series**: Part of the Ekspress satellite constellation, which includes multiple generations of communications satellites
- **Significance**: Supports Russia’s civil and commercial telecommunications needs, ensuring connectivity across vast geographic areas

### Related Entities
- **Proton-M**: A heavy-lift launch vehicle derived from the Proton family, used for high-payload missions to geostationary orbit.
- **Briz-M**: A Russian upper stage rocket providing propulsion for final orbital insertion, critical for precise satellite placement.
- **Baikonur Cosmodrome**: A primary launch site for Russian space missions, leased from Kazakhstan.

## References

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