# Astra 2B

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q750273](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q750273)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astra_2B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/astra-2b

## Summary
Astra 2B is a communications satellite launched into geostationary orbit to support telecommunications services. It was launched on September 14, 2000, using an Ariane 5G rocket from the ELA-3 launch site. The satellite plays a key role in delivering broadcast and data services across Europe.

## Key Facts
- Launched on **September 14, 2000**
- Launch vehicle: **Ariane 5G**
- Launch site: **ELA-3**
- Satellite classification: **communications satellite**
- Orbit type: **geostationary orbit**
- COSPAR ID: **2000-054A**
- SCN (Spacecraft Number): **26494**
- Instance of: **communications satellite** (Wikidata: Q1752902)
- Wikipedia languages: **de, en, hu, pt, uk**

## FAQs
### Q: What is Astra 2B used for?
A: Astra 2B is a communications satellite used primarily for broadcasting television and radio signals, as well as providing data transmission services over Europe.

### Q: When was Astra 2B launched?
A: Astra 2B was launched on **September 14, 2000**, from the ELA-3 launch site in French Guiana.

### Q: Which rocket launched Astra 2B?
A: Astra 2B was launched using the **Ariane 5G** launch vehicle, part of the European Space Agency's Ariane program.

## Why It Matters
Astra 2B represents a critical component of SES’s fleet of satellites that enable direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting and telecommunications services throughout Europe. As part of the broader Astra constellation, it contributes to the delivery of high-quality digital TV and radio channels to millions of households. Its placement in geostationary orbit ensures continuous coverage over fixed geographic regions, making it essential infrastructure for media distribution and communication networks. Satellites like Astra 2B have played foundational roles in modernizing how content is delivered globally via satellite technology.

## Notable For
- Part of SES's Astra satellite system serving European markets
- Successfully launched by the reliable **Ariane 5G** launcher
- Operates from **geostationary orbit**, ensuring stable signal delivery
- Identified by multiple international databases including **COSPAR**, **Freebase**, and **Wolfram Language**
- Featured in multilingual Wikipedia entries indicating cross-cultural relevance

## Body
### Overview
Astra 2B is a European communications satellite operated by SES. Designed for use in geostationary orbit, it supports various telecommunications functions such as broadcasting and data relay.

### Technical Details
- **SCN (Spacecraft Number)**: 26494  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2000-054A  
- **Orbit Type**: Geostationary  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 5G  
- **Launch Site**: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana  

### Launch Event
- **Date**: September 14, 2000  
- **Event Type**: Rocket launch  
- **Location**: ELA-3  
- **Reference Source**: Q6272367 (official space database)

### Classification & Identity
- **Instance Of**: Communications satellite (Wikidata Q1752902)  
- **Wikidata Description**: Communications satellite  
- **Wikipedia Title**: Astra 2B  
- **Available Languages**: German, English, Hungarian, Portuguese, Ukrainian  

### External Identifiers
- **Freebase ID**: /m/04jph3p  
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: Entity["Satellite", "26494"]  

These identifiers allow consistent referencing across scientific literature, databases, and encyclopedic resources.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013