MERIDIAN 2 (35008)

COSPAR: 2009-029A | Alt Name: Meridian No. 12L

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

May 21, 2009

Launch Site

PLMSC

Launch Pad

LC43/4

Launch Vehicle

Soyuz-2-1A

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

35008

International Designator

2009-029A

Decay Date

4/23/2021

Basic Satellite Info

Name

MERIDIAN 2

Alternative Name

Meridian No. 12L

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

RESH

Country

Russia

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary

MERIDIAN 2, also known as Meridian No. 12L, is a communication satellite operated by RESH (Russian Space Systems). Launched on May 21, 2009, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome LC43/4 launch pad using a Soyuz-2-1A launch vehicle, it entered stable orbit on May 22, 2009. The satellite has dimensions of approximately 4 meters in length, 2 meters in diameter, and a span of 10 meters due to its deployable solar arrays. It weighs about 2000 kg at both dry mass and launch weight. The Meridian bus type is used for the satellite, which is configured with a 3-axis stabilized Uragan-M bus design. Its primary mission is communication, powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's shape can be described as a box with two panels. It has an operational lifetime of approximately 7 years.

Physical Characteristics

Length

Diameter

Span

Dry Mass

2000

Launch Mass

2000

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

18.5251

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Meridian No. 12

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

RESH

Life Expectancy

7 years

Bus

Meridian

Configuration

3-Axis stabilized Uragan-M bus ?

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

X Report 1 Jun 2025

SpaceX successfully launched 27 Starlink satellites, marking another milestone for its broadband internet service. Meanwhile, the latest GPS III satellite was also launched for the U.S. military, showcasing SpaceX's multifaceted capabilities.

Musk Denies Starlink Price Cuts Are Response to Amazon Kuiper | KeepTrack X Report

Elon Musk denies Starlink price reductions are driven by Amazon Kuiper competition. SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites in 18th constellation mission of 2026. Five more coming this week.

X Report 27 Jun 2025

SpaceX successfully launched 27 Starlink satellites while facing new competition for its satellite programs, including potential alternatives for the Space Force.

Space Force Eyes Asteroid Mining, Clashes With Congress on R-GPS | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force sees strategic value in asteroid mining. Congress pushes back on R-GPS phase-out over jamming risks. BlackSky expands Gen 3 defense contracts.

LeoLabs Launches Delta Military SSA Platform | KeepTrack Space Brief

LeoLabs debuts Delta, a space monitoring tool designed for military operators to detect adversarial orbital activity beyond standard conjunction warnings.

X Report 5 Aug 2025

SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites while returning to form with Starship testing at Starbase. Meanwhile, preparations for upcoming launches are underway.

X Report 8 Nov 2025

SpaceX prepares for its 560th Falcon 9 launch, aiming to deploy 29 Starlink satellites from Kennedy Space Center, while the Bandwagon-4 mission continues to showcase successful rocket landings.

Space Brief 4 Nov 2025

Today's brief covers China's new GEO Yaogan satellite launch, India's record-mass commsat, military tech updates, autonomous systems for maritime security, and insights from satellite imagery of Hurricane Melissa's impact in Jamaica.