Yamal 102


Yamal 102 was a geostationary communications satellite operated by Gazkom and built by RSC Energia. It was, along with Yamal 101 the first communications satellite of the Yamal program and the first iteration of the USP Bus. It was a satellite with 2200W of power on an unpressurized bus. It had eight SPT-70 electric thrusters by OKB Fakel for station keeping. Its payload was 12 C band equivalent transponders supplied by Space Systems Loral.

History

It was launched along Yamal 101 September 6, 1999 at 16:36 UTC from Baikonur Site 81/23 by a Proton-K/Blok-DM-2M directly to GEO. While its twin Yamal 101 failed, Yamal 102 successfully deployed and was commissioned into service. On August 9, 2010 it was decommissioned and sent to a graveyard orbit. The satellite lasted 4079 days, a bit short of the design life of 12.5 years.

Rename to Yamal 101

Right after solar panel deployment Yamal 101 failure irreparably. Thus, Gazkom registered Yamal 102 as Yamal 101. This has caused significant confusion but the records are clear that the satellite that failed was, in fact, the original Yamal 101.