According to the U.S. Air Force, the Russian military communications satellite Meridian, which was launched into orbit in 2009, burned down
As noted by the US military, the deviceentered the earth's atmosphere on April 23 at 7:48 am Moscow time. It was recorded over Antarctica at a point with coordinates 59.7 degrees south latitude and 147.1 degrees east longitude. However, the researchers do not know whether the device was completely burned up or the unburned debris of the satellite fell to the Earth.
The satellite was launched using a Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle in May 2009. It was put into an off-design orbit, but used for its intended purpose.
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After the first launch, Russian engineers induring 2006-2014, seven more Meridian satellites were launched. At the same time, several of them were unsuccessful: the first device did not work due to the breakdown of a sealed container with space debris, the second was put into an off-design orbit, and the fifth satellite could not be put into orbit. The rest of the warranty devices will operate for seven years.
Initially, the satellites "Meridian" were invented forensuring communication between ships and aircraft in the area of the Northern Sea Route. Also, the devices are needed to expand the capabilities of the network of satellite communication stations in the northern regions of Siberia and the Far East for the development of the economy.
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