Yamal 101

Russia

Launch data:

Designation	25896 / 99047A
Launch date	06 Sep 1999
Launch site	Baikonur, LC-81/23
Launch vehicle	Proton-K/DM-2M (#269)
Mission	Telecommunications
Geostationary orbit:
Location	should have gone to 49°E

Warning: Norad initially mixed up the satellites and named object 25897 / 99047B Yamal 101. That shoud have been Yamal 102. They changed their mind in Sep 2000 and swapped the catalog numbers. This is very confusing.

C-band transponder frequency chart (GHz)

RHCP Downlink	Transponder	LHCP Downlink
3.474	1
	3A	3.474
3.540	2A
	4	3.540
3.645	2V
3.718	5
	3B	3.718
3.770	6
	2G	3.780

Mission detail:

The first two Yamal comsats were launched by Proton on Sep 6. An Energiya DM-2M (11S861-01) upper stage placed the satellites in a 197 x 36311 km x 49.3 deg geostationary transfer orbit according to Space Command data, but this seems to be an error since Energiya reports that the DM-2M made two successful burns, which would have left the satellites in circular 36000 km orbit. Yamal 101 reportedly ran into problems after it was deployed.
RKK Energiya is building the Yamal 101 and 102 satellites for AO Gazcom of Moscow, a joint venture of RKKE and RAO Gazprom, the Russian natural gas monopoly. The two Yamal-100 satellites each carry a communications payload of 12 C-band transponders built by Space Systems/Loral, and will support internal communications for RAO Gazprom. Satellite mass is 1360 kg. The satellite carries Fakel SPD-70 plasma thrusters for inclination control.

End of life

Out of service	06 Sep 1999
Cause	Ran into problems right after launch. Lost control? No communication?

Ref: #7(JR407), #15, #78a - update: 25.08.06/BODY>