# BADR-2

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q448658](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q448658)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/badr-2

## Summary
BADR-2 is a communications satellite launched on October 9, 1998, aboard an Atlas II rocket from Cape Canaveral. It operated under multiple names, including Arabsat 2D, Hot Bird 5, and Eutelsat 25A, providing telecommunications services across the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa. The satellite was later replaced by Eutelsat 70D in 2002.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: October 9, 1998
- **Launch Vehicle**: Atlas II
- **COSPAR ID**: 1998-057A
- **SCN**: 25495
- **Aliases**: BADR 2, Arabsat 2D, Hot Bird 5, Eurobird 2, Eutelsat 25A, بدر ٢
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36
- **Replaced By**: Eutelsat 70D (as of September 26, 2002)
- **Primary Function**: Telecommunications

## FAQs
### Q: When was BADR-2 launched?
A: BADR-2 was launched on October 9, 1998, using an Atlas II rocket from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36.

### Q: What was BADR-2 used for?
A: BADR-2 was a communications satellite providing television broadcasting, telecommunications, and data services to regions including the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.

### Q: Why was BADR-2 replaced?
A: BADR-2 was replaced by Eutelsat 70D in 2002 as part of routine satellite fleet updates to maintain service quality and coverage.

## Why It Matters
BADR-2 played a critical role in expanding telecommunications infrastructure in the late 1990s and early 2000s, particularly in the Middle East and Europe. Its ability to operate under multiple names (e.g., Arabsat 2D, Hot Bird 5) reflected its versatility in serving diverse regional needs. As part of both the BADR and Eutelsat fleets, it supported television broadcasting, mobile communications, and internet services, contributing to the globalization of digital connectivity. Its replacement in 2002 underscored the rapid evolution of satellite technology, but its operational lifespan highlighted the importance of reliable space-based communication systems in bridging geographical gaps.

## Notable For
- Operated under multiple aliases (e.g., Arabsat 2D, Hot Bird 5, Eutelsat 25A) across different regions.
- Launched via the Atlas II rocket, a key U.S. expendable launch system of the 1990s.
- Provided critical telecommunications services to underserved regions, including the Middle East and North Africa.
- Demonstrated satellite repurposing through its transition between orbital slots and operators.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date**: October 9, 1998
- **Rocket**: Atlas II (U.S. expendable launch system)
- **Site**: Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36

### Operational History
- **Aliases**: The satellite was known as Arabsat 2D, Hot Bird 5, Eurobird 2, and Eutelsat 25A at different stages, reflecting changes in orbital position and operational control.
- **Replacement**: Decommissioned and replaced by Eutelsat 70D on September 26, 2002, as part of Eutelsat’s fleet modernization.

### Technical Specifications
- **COSPAR ID**: 1998-057A (international satellite identifier)
- **SCN**: 25495 (U.S. Space Catalog Number)
- **Roles**: Television broadcasting, telecommunications, data transmission

### Naming and Cultural Significance
- **Arabic Designation**: بدر ٢ (Badr 2), part of the BADR satellite series developed for Arab nations.
- **Multilingual Wikipedia Coverage**: Featured in Arabic, German, French, Polish, and Portuguese language entries, indicating its international operational scope.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](http://www.tbs-satellite.com/tse/online/sat_hotbird_6.html)