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MERIDIAN 10

Russian Military/Civil Communications (Molniya Orbit) · Roscosmos / Russian Ministry of Defence

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Meridian 10, the newest satellite in Russia's long-running Meridian communications series, maintaining Arctic and naval coverage from the same highly elliptical Molniya-type orbit the program has used since inheriting the design from Soviet-era predecessors. As Russia's Northern Sea Route sees growing commercial shipping traffic due to melting Arctic ice, Meridian's polar communications coverage has only grown more strategically relevant.

Its orbit

Orbit
Highly Ellipticalswings far out, then dives back close to Earth
Altitude
1,302–23,784 mi (2,095–38,277 km)
Inclination
62.7°
One orbit
12.0 hours2.0 orbits a day
NORAD ID
52145
Int’l designator
2022-030A
Launched
2022

Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 21 Sep 2026.

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