Yamal-102

Yamal-102 was a geostationary communications satellite operated by Gazprom [Space Systems|Gazkom] and built by RSC Energia. It was, along with Yamal-101 the first communications satellite of the Yamal programme and the first iteration of the USP Bus. It was a satellite with 2200 watts 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 (IEEE)|C-band] equivalent transponders supplied by Space Systems/Loral.

History

It was launched along Yamal-101 on 6 September 1999 at 16:36:00 UTC from Baikonur Baikonur [Cosmodrome Site 81|Site 81/23] by a Proton-K / Blok DM-2M directly to geostationary orbit. While its twin Yamal-101 failed, Yamal-102 successfully deployed and was commissioned into service. On 9 August 2010, it was decommissioned and sent to a graveyard orbit. The satellite lasted 11 years and 2 months, a bit short of the design life of 12 years.

Rename to Yamal-101

Right after solar panel deployment Yamal-101 failed irreparably. Thus, Gazprom Space Systems 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.