# ASC 2

> American communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q18327678](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18327678)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/asc-2

## Summary
ASC 2 was an American geostationary communications satellite launched on April 13, 1991. Manufactured by the RCA Corporation and operated by ConTel, it had a launch mass of 1,350 kilograms and was deployed into orbit using a Delta II rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** April 13, 1991 (00:09:00 UTC)
- **Operator:** ConTel (Continental Telephone)
- **Manufacturer:** RCA Corporation
- **Launch Vehicle:** Delta II (specifically variant D-204)
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit
- **Mass:** 1,350 kg (launch weight)
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 1991-028A; SATCAT (SCN) 21227
- **Aliases:** AmerSat 2, Spacenet 4, ASC-2
- **Predecessor:** ASC 1

## FAQs
### Q: When and where was ASC 2 launched?
A: ASC 2 was launched on April 13, 1991, at 00:09:00 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B in the United States.

### Q: Who manufactured and operated the ASC 2 satellite?
A: The satellite was manufactured by the RCA Corporation and operated by ConTel (Continental Telephone).

### Q: What type of satellite is ASC 2?
A: ASC 2 is an American communications satellite placed in a geostationary orbit. It is powered by two spacecraft solar arrays.

## Why It Matters
ASC 2 represents a specific era of American telecommunications infrastructure expansion in the early 1990s. As a geostationary satellite operated by ConTel, it played a role in relaying communications data across the United States. Its launch aboard the Delta II rocket—specifically the D-204 variant—marks it as a participant in the extensive history of the Delta launch system family, which was crucial for deploying medium-lift payloads during that period.

The satellite is notable for its identity within the broader ASC (American Satellite Company) and Spacenet series, serving as the successor to ASC 1. Weighing 1,350 kg at launch, it was a significant piece of hardware built by the historic RCA Corporation, highlighting the collaboration between major aerospace manufacturers and telecommunications operators of the time.

## Notable For
- **Successor Status:** Serving as the direct follow-up to the ASC 1 satellite.
- **Dual Nomenclature:** Being identified by multiple names, including AmerSat 2 and Spacenet 4.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Utilizing the Delta II 6000-series rocket (D-204) for its deployment.
- **Power System:** Utilizing a dual solar array configuration for power generation.
- **Orbital Positioning:** Operating from a geostationary orbit, allowing for constant coverage of its designated service area.

## Body
### Technical Specifications
ASC 2 is classified as a communications satellite and a geostationary satellite. The spacecraft was constructed with a launch mass of 1,350 kilograms. Its power system relies on a spacecraft solar array consisting of two panels.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on April 13, 1991, from the Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B. The launch event utilized a Delta II expendable launch system, identified by the variant code D-204. This mission successfully placed the satellite into its intended geostationary orbit.

### Operational Context
ASC 2 was preceded in operation by ASC 1. It was assigned the COSPAR international designator 1991-028A and the Satcat number 21227. The satellite remains recognized in various knowledge bases, including the Google Knowledge Graph and the Wolfram Language entity system.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "ASC 2",
  "description": "An American geostationary communications satellite launched in 1991 and operated by ConTel.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4651774"
  ],
  "alternateName": ["AmerSat 2", "Spacenet 4", "ASC-2"],
  "additionalType": "Communications Satellite"
}

## References

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