# BEIDOU-3 M2

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111471090](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111471090)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/beidou-3-m2

## Summary
BEIDOU-3 M2 is an artificial satellite launched on November 5, 2017. Identified by the COSPAR ID 2017-069B and Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 43002, it is a human-made object placed into orbit around a celestial body.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: November 5, 2017.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2017-069B.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 43002.
- **Classification**: Artificial satellite (a subclass of spacecraft).
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: Entity["Satellite", "43002"].
- **General Definition**: A human-made object placed into orbit, typically around Earth, for purposes such as communication, navigation, or research.
- **Historical Context**: Launched 60 years after the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1 (October 4, 1957).

## FAQs
### Q: When was BEIDOU-3 M2 launched?
A: BEIDOU-3 M2 was launched on November 5, 2017.

### Q: What are the identification codes for BEIDOU-3 M2?
A: The satellite is identified by the COSPAR ID 2017-069B and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 43002.

### Q: What type of spacecraft is BEIDOU-3 M2?
A: It is classified as an artificial satellite, which is a specific type of spacecraft designed to orbit a celestial body.

### Q: How does BEIDOU-3 M2 fit into the history of spaceflight?
A: As an artificial satellite, it is part of the legacy that began with Sputnik 1 in 1957, contributing to the thousands of satellites that now orbit Earth for various applications.

## Why It Matters
BEIDOU-3 M2 matters as a constituent of the global satellite infrastructure that underpins modern civilization. Artificial satellites are indispensable for real-time global communication, navigation systems (like GPS), internet connectivity, and scientific research. By operating in orbit, this satellite contributes to the capabilities necessary for military surveillance, environmental monitoring, and weather forecasting. Furthermore, its existence highlights the ongoing expansion of space utilization, a trend that began with the Space Race and now includes challenges such as managing space debris and orbital congestion.

## Notable For
- **Specific Identification**: Distinguished by its unique COSPAR ID (2017-069B) and SCN (43002).
- **Launch Date**: Launched in late 2017, adding to the population of operational satellites.
- **Class Membership**: Belongs to the category of artificial satellites, which revolutionized global technology following the launch of Sputnik 1.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
BEIDOU-3 M2 is classified as an artificial satellite, a human-made object placed into orbit around a celestial body, typically the Earth. This category is a subclass of spacecraft, specifically engineered to operate in space. Artificial satellites serve a wide array of purposes, including communication, navigation, scientific research, and military applications. The concept of the artificial satellite was initiated with the launch of Sputnik 1 by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, an event that marked the beginning of the space age.

### Identification and Launch Data
The entity is cataloged with specific technical identifiers used for tracking and data retrieval. Its Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) is 43002. The COSPAR ID assigned to this object is 2017-069B. Additionally, within the Wolfram Language framework, the entity is referenced by the code Entity["Satellite", "43002"]. The satellite was launched on November 5, 2017.

### Types and Variants
While the specific subtype of BEIDOU-3 M2 is not detailed in the source, artificial satellites as a class encompass various forms. These include:
*   **Passive satellites**: Such as Project Echo, which reflected radio signals.
*   **Tethered satellites**: Consisting of two parts connected by a cable.
*   **Miniaturized satellites**: Including femtosatellites and picosatellites, which weigh less than 1 kg and are often used for educational or experimental purposes.
*   **Specialized satellites**: Such as orbital power plants designed to capture solar energy.

### Orbital Characteristics
Satellites maintain orbit through a balance of gravitational pull and their forward velocity, which creates centrifugal force counteracting gravity. Artificial satellites can be categorized by their orbital regimes:
*   **Geostationary satellites**: Which remain fixed over a specific point on Earth.
*   **Low Earth orbit (LEO)**: Often used for communication and Earth observation.
*   **Heliocentric satellites**: Which orbit the Sun.

### Applications and Function
The broader class of artificial satellites, to which BEIDOU-3 M2 belongs, enables critical global infrastructure. Key applications include:
*   **Communication**: Enabling television, internet, and telephony.
*   **Navigation**: Providing the backbone for systems like GPS.
*   **Scientific Research**: Studying Earth’s atmosphere, climate, and space (e.g., geodetic research via satellites like PAGEOS).
*   **Military**: Supporting secure communications and surveillance, similar to constellations like Syracuse 4 or Gonets-M.

### Challenges and Context
The operation of artificial satellites faces challenges such as space debris and orbital congestion. Thousands of defunct satellites and fragments pose collision risks, necessitating the development of space debris removal satellites. BEIDOU-3 M2 operates within this complex environment, contributing to the thousands of satellites that orbit Earth today, expanding global coverage and capability.

## References

1. SATCAT