# Meridian-M 8

> Russian communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q97232097](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q97232097)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/meridian-m-8

## Summary

Meridian-M 8 is a Russian communications satellite launched on July 30, 2019, operating as part of the Meridian-M series, which provides communication services across Russia and adjacent regions. It was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 aboard a Soyuz-2.1a rocket with a Fregat upper stage, carrying the satellite catalog number 44453 and international designator 2019-046A.

## Key Facts

- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 44453
- **COSPAR ID:** 2019-046A
- **Model/Class:** Meridian-M (Russian communications satellite)
- **Alternative Names:** Meridian-M No. 8, Meridian 18L
- **Launch Date:** July 30, 2019, at 05:57 UTC
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-2.1a (serial 780-21-117)
- **Upper Stage/Space Tug:** Fregat (serial 1036)
- **Function:** Russian communications satellite
- **Wikipedia Language Coverage:** Latvian (lv)
- **Sitelink Count:** 1

## FAQs

**What is the Meridian-M 8 satellite?**

Meridian-M 8 is a Russian communications satellite that was launched in 2019 as part of the Meridian-M series, designed to provide secure communication services for military and civilian use across Russia's vast territory.

**When was Meridian-M 8 launched?**

Meridian-M 8 was launched on July 30, 2019, at 05:57 UTC from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 in northern Russia.

**What launch vehicle was used for Meridian-M 8?**

The satellite was launched aboard a Soyuz-2.1a rocket with serial number 780-21-117, equipped with a Fregat upper stage (serial 1036) to place it into the correct orbit.

**Where was Meridian-M 8 launched from?**

Meridian-M 8 was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4, one of Russia's primary space launch facilities located in the Arkhangelsk Oblast region.

**What is the Meridian-M series?**

The Meridian-M is a series of Russian communications satellites designed to provide voice and data communication services, particularly for military and government applications, operating in geostationary or highly elliptical orbits to cover Russian territory.

## Why It Matters

Meridian-M 8 represents Russia's continued investment in its military and civilian communication infrastructure, ensuring reliable secure communications across the country's extensive geographic footprint. As part of the Meridian-M series, this satellite contributes to Russia's strategic communication capabilities, supporting both governmental and commercial communication needs. The launch demonstrates Russia's ongoing commitment to maintaining its space-based assets and indigenous launch capabilities using the reliable Soyuz-2.1a rocket family. The Meridian system specifically addresses the communication gaps in Russia's northern regions and provides backup communication channels essential for national security operations.

## Notable For

- Part of Russia's Meridian-M communications satellite constellation
- Launched aboard the proven Soyuz-2.1a rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome
- Carries international designation 2019-046A, marking it as a significant 2019 orbital launch
- Operates as Meridian-M No. 8 (or Meridian 18L) in the series
- Uses Fregat upper stage for precise orbit insertion

## Body

### Overview and Classification

Meridian-M 8 is classified as a Russian communications satellite belonging to the Meridian-M series, which represents a family of military and civilian communication satellites operated by Russia. The satellite is officially designated with satellite catalog number 44453 and carries the international COSPAR identifier 2019-046A. It is also known by alternative designations including Meridian-M No. 8 and Meridian 18L. According to Wikidata, the entity is described simply as a "Russian communications satellite," reflecting its primary function of providing communication services.

### Launch Details

The satellite was launched on July 30, 2019, at 05:57 UTC from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4, located in the Arkhangelsk Oblast region of northern Russia. This launch facility is one of Russia's primary spaceports and is particularly associated with polar and high-inclination orbit launches. The mission utilized a Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle with the serial number 780-21-117. Following separation from the launch vehicle, a Fregat upper stage (serial 1036) was responsible for placing the satellite into its final orbit—a common practice for Russian communications satellites requiring precise orbital insertion.

### Technical Specifications

While detailed technical specifications are not provided in the source material, the Meridian-M series satellites are known to be designed for communications relay purposes, supporting both military and civilian communication requirements. The use of the Fregat upper stage indicates that the satellite was deployed into a geostationary transfer orbit or a highly elliptical orbit, from which it would proceed to its operational position. The Soyuz-2.1a rocket represents a modernized version of the classic Soyuz launch vehicle, featuring digital flight control systems and improved performance characteristics.

### Launch Infrastructure

Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 serves as the launch complex for this mission. The Plesetsk Cosmodrome is Russia's northernmost space launch facility and is primarily used for launching satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits. The facility has been operational since the 1950s and remains critical to Russia's space access capabilities. The choice of this launch site for Meridian-M 8 is consistent with the typical deployment profile for Russian communications satellites requiring high-inclination orbits.

### Documentation and References

The satellite is documented in Wikidata with the description "Russian communications satellite" and has a sitelink count of 1, indicating presence in at least one Wikimedia project. Specifically, the satellite has a Latvian-language Wikipedia article (designated as "lv" in the wikipedia_languages field), demonstrating coverage in at least one non-Russian language Wikipedia. The source material references Wikidata item Q6272367 as the primary reference for the structured properties, suggesting this is the Wikidata entry for the Meridian-M satellite series or a related entity.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report