# Arabsat 2A

> Saudi Arabian communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q624425](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q624425)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arabsat-2a

## Summary
Arabsat 2A is a Saudi Arabian communications satellite launched in 1996, part of the Arabsat fleet. It was built by Aérospatiale using the Spacebus-3000A platform and operated by the Arab Satellite Communications Organization. The satellite weighed 2,500 kilograms at launch and was launched aboard an Ariane 44L rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Communications satellite and geostationary satellite
- **Launch date**: July 9, 1996, at 22:24:55 UTC
- **Launch site**: ELA-2 (European Spaceport, French Guiana)
- **Launch vehicle**: Ariane 44L (flight V89)
- **Manufacturer**: Aérospatiale (France)
- **Spacecraft bus**: Spacebus-3000A
- **Mass**: 2,500 kilograms (launch weight)
- **Operator**: Arab Satellite Communications Organization
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit
- **Power system**: Spacecraft solar array (2) and S400 (1)
- **Part of**: Arabsat satellite fleet
- **Country of origin**: France
- **Aliases**: Arabsat IIA

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite is Arabsat 2A?
A: Arabsat 2A is a communications satellite designed for telecommunications, operating in a geostationary orbit.

### Q: Who launched Arabsat 2A, and when?
A: Arabsat 2A was launched on July 9, 1996, aboard an Ariane 44L rocket from ELA-2 in French Guiana.

### Q: What was the purpose of Arabsat 2A?
A: The satellite was part of the Arabsat fleet, providing telecommunications services for Saudi Arabia and the Arab world.

### Q: What was the mass of Arabsat 2A at launch?
A: Arabsat 2A had a launch mass of 2,500 kilograms.

### Q: Which company manufactured Arabsat 2A?
A: Arabsat 2A was built by Aérospatiale using the Spacebus-3000A platform.

## Why It Matters
Arabsat 2A played a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s early satellite communications infrastructure, supporting television broadcasting, telephony, and data transmission across the Middle East and North Africa. As part of the Arabsat fleet, it helped establish a regional satellite communications network, enhancing connectivity and enabling the growth of media, business, and government services. The satellite’s launch marked a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia’s space program and the Arab world’s satellite industry. Its successful deployment demonstrated the capabilities of the Spacebus-3000A platform and the reliability of the Ariane 44L launch vehicle.

## Notable For
- First Saudi Arabian satellite in the Arabsat fleet
- Operated by the Arab Satellite Communications Organization
- Launched aboard an Ariane 44L rocket, a key vehicle in the Ariane 4 series
- Powered by a combination of spacecraft solar arrays and an S400 system
- Part of the Spacebus-3000A satellite family, known for its reliability
- Contributed to early regional telecommunications infrastructure

## Body
### Overview
Arabsat 2A is a Saudi Arabian communications satellite launched on July 9, 1996, as part of the Arabsat fleet. It was manufactured by Aérospatiale using the Spacebus-3000A platform and operated by the Arab Satellite Communications Organization. The satellite weighed 2,500 kilograms at launch and was launched aboard an Ariane 44L rocket from ELA-2 in French Guiana.

### Design and Specifications
- **Spacecraft bus**: Spacebus-3000A
- **Power system**: Two spacecraft solar arrays and one S400
- **Mass**: 2,500 kilograms (launch weight)
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit

### Launch Details
- **Launch date**: July 9, 1996, at 22:24:55 UTC
- **Launch vehicle**: Ariane 44L (flight V89)
- **Launch site**: ELA-2, European Spaceport, French Guiana

### Operational Details
- **Operator**: Arab Satellite Communications Organization
- **Country of origin**: France
- **Aliases**: Arabsat IIA

### Significance
Arabsat 2A was a key satellite in Saudi Arabia’s early satellite communications network, supporting television broadcasting, telephony, and data transmission across the Middle East and North Africa. Its successful deployment contributed to the development of regional telecommunications infrastructure and the growth of the Arab satellite industry. The satellite’s launch marked a significant achievement for Saudi Arabia’s space program and the Arab world’s satellite communications capabilities.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/arabsat-2a.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report