Satellite Communications Center, Medvezh'i Ozyora
Image: Wikimedia Commons
The Satellite Communications Center, Medvezh'i Ozyora, also known as the Bear Lakes teleport, is a satellite ground station near Moscow, Russia, with roots stretching back to the earliest days of Soviet satellite television.
About Satellite Communications Center, Medvezh'i Ozyora
Unlike most sites in this catalogue, this is not primarily a stargazing observatory but a working satellite communications and broadcast teleport, sited at an elevation of around 200 metres. It is one of Russia's largest teleports, providing commercial communication and broadcast services.
History
The facility began life in 1967 as Orbita, the first Soviet satellite transceiver station, built by the MPEI Special Design Bureau. On 4 November 1967 it carried out the first television broadcast relayed via a Molniya-1 satellite, sending a signal all the way to Vladivostok. In 1995 the site became a branch of the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC), which continues to operate it today.
Location & getting there
The center sits near Moscow, Russia, at roughly 200 metres above sea level, in the area historically known as Medvezh'i Ozyora, or Bear Lakes.
Visiting Satellite Communications Center, Medvezh'i Ozyora
As an operational satellite teleport rather than a public attraction, this site is not set up for casual visits or stargazing tours. Anyone interested in its history or operations should contact the Russian Satellite Communications Company directly rather than turning up unannounced.
See your named star from here
Because this facility's dishes are built for satellites rather than starlight, it is not the place to point a telescope at a named star's coordinates. But the right ascension and declination on a Star Register certificate can be located from anywhere with a clear view of the night sky, so consider visiting a dedicated public observatory near Moscow, or simply stepping outside on a clear night. Explore our star-naming packages or find a stargazing site in the observatory catalogue.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
