Meridian 3 (), also known as Meridian No.13L, was a Russian communications satellite. It was the third satellite to be launched as part of the Meridian system to replace the older Molniya series.
Meridian 3 was launched by a Soyuz-2 rocket. The Soyuz-2.1a configuration was used, along with a Fregat-M upper stage. The launch occurred from Site 43/4 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome at 00:58:39 GMT on 2 November 2010.
It was constructed by ISS Reshetnev and is believed to be based on the Uragan-M satellite bus, which has also been used for GLONASS navigation satellites. It operates in a Molniya orbit with a perigee of , an apogee of , and 65° inclination.
References
External links
Meridian 3 - NSSDC ID: 2010-058A N2YO Meridian-3 Tracking - Live Meridian-3 tracking