Space Brief 14 May 2025
Today's edition covers China's latest launches in their classified satellite programs, ongoing discussions in the U.S. Senate on missile defense, and the ever-escalating space debris crisis threatening national security.
EXPRESS 103 (45985)
COSPAR: 2020-053A | Alt Name: Ekspress-103
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
July 30, 2020
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/39
Launch Vehicle
Proton-M/Briz-M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
45985
International Designator
2020-053A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:56:38 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
0.03°
Right Ascension
268.98°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
197.43°
Period
1436.06 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
EXPRESS 103
Alternative Name
Ekspress-103
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
KS
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 45985U 20053A 26185.12266756 -.00000269 00000-0 00000-0 0 9996
2 45985 0.0320 268.9831 0001021 197.4323 316.3875 1.00274480 21819
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The EXPRESS 103 satellite, also known as Ekspress-103, is a communication satellite manufactured by RESH for KS. Launched on July 30, 2020, from the Tysmec LC200/39 launch pad using a Proton-M/Briz-M launch vehicle, it measures 4 meters in length with a diameter of 2 meters and has a span of 15 meters. The satellite carries 16 C-band transponders, 20 Ku-band transponders, and 2 L-band transponders for communication purposes. It has a dry mass of 1800 kg and a launch mass of 2280 kg, powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite is equipped with AOCS (Attitude and Orbit Control System) motors and has a mission lifetime of 15 years. Its shape is described as a box with two panels.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4
Diameter
2
Span
15
Dry Mass
1800
Launch Mass
2280
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Ekspress-103
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
RESH
Life Expectancy
15 years
Bus
Ekspress-1000N
Configuration
Ekspress-1000N
Motor
AOCS
Equipment
16 C-band transponders, 20 Ku-band transponders, 2 L-band transponders
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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