# AUSSAT A2

> Australian communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q16061368](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16061368)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/aussat-a2

## Summary
AUSSAT A2 is an Australian communications satellite, part of a series of geostationary satellites used for telecommunications. It was launched in 1985 and operated by Optus.

## Key Facts
- Launched on November 27, 1985, aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis.
- Operated by Optus and manufactured by Hughes Aircraft Company.
- At launch, it weighed 1,250 kilograms; in service, it was 654 kilograms.
- Has a diameter of 2.2 meters.
- Follows AUSSAT A1 and is succeeded by AUSSAT A3.
- Uses a Boeing 376 spacecraft bus.
- Has the COSPAR ID 1985-109C.
- Is a geostationary communications satellite.

## FAQs
### Q: When was AUSSAT A2 launched?
A: It was launched on November 27, 1985, aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

### Q: Who operates AUSSAT A2?
A: It is operated by Optus.

### Q: What is its mass?
A: At launch, it weighed 1,250 kilograms; in service, it was 654 kilograms.

### Q: What type of satellite is it?
A: It is a geostationary communications satellite.

## Why It Matters
AUSSAT A2 played a critical role in establishing Australia's early satellite communications infrastructure, enabling reliable telecommunications across the vast, remote regions of the country. As part of the AUSSAT series, it helped expand Australia's capacity for long-distance communication, supporting both government and commercial needs. Its deployment via the Space Shuttle program marked an early collaboration between Australian and U.S. space agencies, contributing to the development of Australia's space capabilities and solidifying the AUSSAT series as a foundational part of Australia's telecommunications history.

## Notable For
- Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, marking an early joint U.S.-Australian space mission for satellite deployment.
- Part of the AUSSAT series, which became a foundational part of Australia's satellite communications history.
- Operated by Optus, a major Australian telecommunications company, linking the satellite to Australia's commercial telecom sector.
- Used the Boeing 376 spacecraft bus, a reliable platform for communications satellites of its era.
- Served as a bridge between earlier AUSSAT A1 and later AUSSAT A3, representing a phased evolution of Australia's satellite communications technology.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
- Launched on November 27, 1985, from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.
- Carried aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-61-B mission).
- Deployed via a PAM-D space tug.

### Technical Specifications
- Mass: 1,250 kg at launch; 654 kg in service.
- Diameter: 2.2 meters.
- Spacecraft bus: Boeing 376.
- COSPAR ID: 1985-109C.
- NSSDCA ID: 1985-109C.

### Operational Details
- Operated by Optus.
- Manufacturer: Hughes Aircraft Company.
- Powered by a spacecraft solar array.
- Follows AUSSAT A1 and is succeeded by AUSSAT A3.

### Legacy
- Part of the AUSSAT series, which helped establish Australia's satellite communications capacity.
- Contributed to expanding telecommunications access across remote Australian regions.

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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "AUSSAT A2",
  "description": "Australian communications satellite, part of a series of geostationary satellites used for telecommunications.",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367"],
  "additionalType": "communications satellite"
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/aussat-a.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](http://boeing.com/defense-space/space/bss/factsheets/376/aussat/aussat.html)