Status: Operational 1997. First Launch: 1997-11-12. Last Launch: 1997-11-12. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb).
This was a new technical area for Lavochkin, which previously dealt with planetary probes and early warning satellites. The project was cancelled with the breakup of the Soviet Union, and instead Kupon became the first communications satellite for the Russian banking system. The satellite was owned by the Russian Federation Central Bank (and possibly Global Information Systems of Moscow) and relayed financial data for the Bankir network.
In 1990 the Lavochkin NPO announced plans to create the Bankir low earth orbit communications network of 4-8 satellites operating in the UHF band (400-480 MHz) by 1994. By 1992 this project had evolved and merged with the German-Russian Romantis project. The original Romantis plan envisioned a German consortium providing the communications payloads for Russian-built-and-launched satellites. Later, German industry assumed responsibility for the complete development of the spacecraft. Then, in late 1992 the scope of the project was reduced with the German team now focusing on the manufacture of ground station communications network called Bankir. The Bankir name was now used in reference to a geostationary communications system, comprised of Kupon satellites of the Globostar Satellite Communications System. The Bankir network began operations in 1993 via the existing Potok system of Geyser spacecraft. By 1997 a constellation of four Kupon spacecraft was envisioned at locations above the eastern Atlantic (9.5 degrees W) and the eastern and western Indian Ocean (55 degrees E, 86.5 degrees E, and 91.75 degrees E).
Each 2.5 metric-ton Kupon employed sophisticated phased-array antennas for transmission footprints tailored to user specifications. The basic spacecraft carried 16 Ku-band transponders. The Kupon spacecraft bus was derived from the Prognoz SPRN missile detection satellites. The Bankir network was organized by the Russian firm of Global Information Systems, Inc. The Elas NPO provided the transponders and the ground stations.
Credit: Manufacturer Image
Geosynchronous. Kupon is the first communications satellite for the Russian banking system, and the first commercial communications satellite sold by the Lavochkin, who have in the past been more commonly associated with planetary probes and early warning satellites. Kupon, owned by the Russian Federation Central Bank (and possibly Global Information Systems of Moscow), relays financial data for the Bankir network. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 55 deg E in 1997-1998 As of 1 September 2001 located at 86.25 deg E drifting at 0.142 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 78.29E drifting at 0.156E degrees per day.