Meridian 1

Launch data: Designation  29668 / 06061A Launch date  24 Dec 2006 - 08:34 UT Launch site  Pl, LC-43/4 Launch vehicle  Soyuz-2-1A Fregat Mission  Comms Earth orbit: Perigee / Apogee  1984 x 38388 km Inclination  65.5° Period  717.8 min

Spacecraft data:

Designation:

• The Meridian spacecraft was designed to ensure communications of sea-going ships and ice reconnaissance planes in the area of the Northern Sea Route with coastal stations as well as expansion of the network of satellite communication stations in northern areas of Siberia and the Russian Far East. Such satellites will operate on high-elliptical orbits. They will help to expand meter bands of radio frequencies and will be more reliable and of higher longevity