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Intelsat 2
Credit - Intelsat
Class: Communications. Destination: Geosynchronous Orbit. Nation: USA. Agency: ITSO. Manufacturer: Hughes.

The Intelsat 2 series expanded ITSO coverage to include 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Intelsat 2A was never operationally useful due to a bad orbit, Intelsat 2B lasted for 2 years, and Intelsat 2C and 2D lasted for 3.5 years each. Spacecraft: Spin stabilized. Payload: Two transponders. Multiple access.240 voice circuits or one TV channel.

Design Life: 3 years. Length: 1.42 m (4.65 ft). Maximum Diameter: 0.67 m (2.19 ft). Mass: 192 kg (423 lb).


Intelsat 2 Chronology
  • 1966 October 26 - Intelsat 2 F-1 - Program: Intelsat. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Vehicle: Delta. FAILURE: Partial Failure. Mass: 140 kg (300 lb). Perigee: 3,328 km (2,067 mi). Apogee: 37,070 km (23,030 mi). Inclination: 17.30 deg. Period: 718.70 min.
    Unusable orbit due to AKM failure. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

  • 1967 January 11 - Intelsat 2 F-2 - Program: Intelsat. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 87 kg (191 lb). Perigee: 35,769 km (22,225 mi). Apogee: 35,808 km (22,250 mi). Inclination: 1.60 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.
    Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Pacific Ocean at 174 deg E in 1967-1969; over the Pacific Ocean 162-170 deg E in 1969-1970; over the Pacific Ocean 150-160 deg E in 1970-1975 As of 7 August 2001 located at 48.66 deg E drifting at 0.413 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 63.48W drifting at 0.357W degrees per day.

  • 1967 March 23 - Intelsat 2 F-3 - Program: Intelsat. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 192 kg (423 lb). Perigee: 35,670 km (22,160 mi). Apogee: 35,899 km (22,306 mi). Inclination: 12.50 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min.
    Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean at 15 deg W in 1967-1971; over the Atlantic Ocean at 35 deg W in 1972; over the Atlantic Ocean at 15 deg W in 1973. As of 22 August 2001 was at 6.75 deg W drifting at 0.037 deg W per day. As of 2005 Dec 5 located at 13.34E drifting at 0.188W degrees per day. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

  • 1967 September 28 - Intelsat 2 F-4 - Program: Intelsat. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 87 kg (191 lb). Perigee: 35,729 km (22,200 mi). Apogee: 35,885 km (22,297 mi). Inclination: 13.00 deg. Period: 1,437.10 min.
    Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Pacific Ocean at 176 deg E in 1967-1970; over the Pacific Ocean 166 deg W in 1971; over the Atlantic Ocean 30-42 deg W in 1972 As of 1 August 2001 located at 36.36 deg W drifting at 0.096 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 7 located at 168.68W drifting at 0.093W degrees per day.


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