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Gals
Part of KAUR-4

Gals

Gals
Credit: USAF Phillips Laboratory

Russian communications satellite. Direct broadcasting satellite (new generation of satellites) intended for development of the Russian television system and international cooperation. Communication satellite built by NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki (NPO PM), Russia. Launched 1994 - 1995.

AKA: 17F71. Status: Operational 1994. First Launch: 1994-01-20. Last Launch: 2009-02-11. Number: 15 . Gross mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb).

The year 1994 marked the long awaited debut of the first of the next-generation Russian geosynchronous communications satellites. The spacecraft, designed and built by the Applied Mechanics NPO, utilized a new, modernized MSS-2500 class bus with greater electrical power, higher precision station-keeping capabilities (including north-south station-keeping), and longer life. The first of these spacecraft to appear was Gals 1 on 20 January 1994, followed by Express 1 on 13 October. Both employed the MSS-2500-GSO-01 spacecraft bus. Two other models (MSS-2500-GSO-02 and MSS-2500-GSO) were still under development.

The Gals television broadcasting satellite, originally expected to be launched by December, 1990, was designed to support a variety of direct broadcast customers, including professional broadcasting firms (having antenna 2.5 m in diameter), community associations (receiving antenna 1.5 m), and individuals (receiving antenna 0.6-0.9 m). The 2500-kg spacecraft with a payload mass of 420 kg originally were scheduled for deployments at two locations: 230 E with three spacecraft and 44 degrees E with two spacecraft. Later, positions degrees 74 degrees E, 110 degrees E, and 140 degrees E were added. The planned constellation was later altered to consist of spacecraft at 36 degrees E, 56 degrees E, 86 degrees E, 110 degrees E, and 140 degrees E. Two solar arrays with a total power of 2.4 kW supported three Ku-band transponders (one 40 W and two 80 W). The spacecraft bus measured 4.1 m by 6.6 m with a 21-m span across the solar arrays. The design lifetime was 5-7 years. Like most Russian geosynchronous spacecraft, Gals 1 was inserted into the geosynchronous ring near 90 degrees E. A western drift was assigned to permit the vehicle to reach 44 degrees E by early February, 1994. After checkout during which problems were detected with one of the three transponders, Gals 1 was unexpectedly transferred to 71 degrees E in May-June to service, not the Russian Federation, but the PRC and Taiwan. Gals 1 remained at 71 degrees E for the remainder of 1994.

Gals 1 also signaled the first civilian control of a major applications spacecraft. The new Main Control Center at Krasnoyarsk in Siberia of the Applied Mechanics NPO), rather than the military satellite control facility at Golitsino-2, was in charge of Gals l's day-to-day operations. Gals 1 further tested the Russian SPT-100 ion thruster created by the Fakel Bureau. This evaluation program was conducted in conjunction with France's SEP firm and U.S.'s Loral Space Systems Company.

Three modifications of Gals were envisioned. Gals-R would add a fourth transponder and permit zonal (broad area) television broadcasting. The Gals-R6 and Gals-R12 variants would carry 6 and 12 transponders, respectively. The first launch of a Gals-R vehicle was tentatively set for 1996. Two Gals-R class spacecraft were reportedly been ordered by a Chinese company for launches beginning in 1998.

However all of these plans came to nothing and the two Gals launched in 1994-1995 remained the only examples.


More at: Gals.

Subtopics

Ekspress Russian communications satellite. The Ekspress series communications satellite closely resembled the Gals spacecraft and shared a similar spacecraft bus. Communication satellite built by NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki (NPO PM) for RSCC (Kosmicheskiya Svyaz), Russia. Launched 1994 - 1996.

Ekspress-A 1, 2, 3 Communication satellite built by NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki (NPO PM) (Bus), Alcatel Space (Payload) for RSCC (Kosmicheskiya Svyaz), Russia. Launched 1999 - 2002.

Ekspress-AM 22 / SESAT 2 Null

Ekspress-AM 11 Communication satellite built by NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki (NPO PM) (Bus), Alcatel (Payload) for RSCC (Kosmicheskiya Svyaz), Russia. Launched 2004.

Ekspress-AM 1 Communication satellite built by NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki (NPO PM) (Bus), NEC (Payload) for RSCC (Kosmicheskiya Svyaz), Russia. Launched 2004.

Ekspress-AM 2, 3 Communication satellite built by NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki (NPO PM) (Bus), Alcatel (Payload) for RSCC (Kosmicheskiya Svyaz), Russia. Launched 2005.

Ekspress-AM 33, 44 Communication satellite built by ISS Reshetnev (ex NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki, NPO PM) (Bus), Alcatel (Payload) for RSCC (Kosmicheskiya Svyaz), Russia. Launched 2008 - 2009.

Family: Communications, Geosynchronous orbit. Country: Russia. Engines: SPT-100. Launch Vehicles: Proton, Proton-K/DM-2, Proton-K/DM-2M, Proton-M/Briz-M. Launch Sites: Baikonur, Baikonur LC81/23, Baikonur LC200/39. Agency: MOM, Reshetnev bureau. Bibliography: 102, 2, 274, 6, 67, 6514, 12472, 12473, 12474, 12475, 12476, 12477, 12478.
Photo Gallery

GalsGals
Credit: NPO PM


Ekspress AM-22Ekspress AM-22
Credit: Manufacturer Image


EkspressEkspress
Credit: Manufacturer Image


Ekspress 6AEkspress 6A
Credit: Manufacturer Image


Ekspress AM-11Ekspress AM-11
Credit: Manufacturer Image


Ekspress AM-33Ekspress AM-33
Credit: Manufacturer Image


Gals-2Gals-2
Credit: Manufacturer Image



1994 January 20 - . 09:49 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/23. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2M.
1994 October 13 - . 16:19 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2M.
1995 November 17 - . 14:25 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2.
1996 September 26 - . 17:50 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2M.
1999 October 27 - . 16:16 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2. FAILURE: Failed early in second-stage burn.. Failed Stage: 2.
2000 March 12 - . 04:07 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2M.
2000 April 17 - . 21:06 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2M.
2000 June 24 - . 00:28 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2M.
2002 June 10 - . 01:14 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2M.
2003 December 28 - . 23:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2M.
2004 April 26 - . 20:37 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2M.
2004 October 29 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2M.
2005 March 29 - . 22:31 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2M.
2005 June 24 - . 19:41 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2.
2008 January 28 - . 00:18 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-M/Briz-M.
2009 February 11 - . 00:03 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-M/Briz-M.

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