# DirecTV 2
**Wikidata**: [Q14559244](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14559244)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/directv-2

## Summary  
DirecTV 2 (also known as DBS 2) is a U.S. communications satellite launched on 3 August 1994. It was placed into orbit by an Atlas II rocket from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36 and carries the COSPAR designation 1994‑047A (SCN 23192).

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 3 August 1994【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Atlas II expendable launch system【source】  
- **Launch site:** Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1994‑047A【source】  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 23192【source】  
- **Instance of:** communications satellite (artificial satellite for telecommunications)【source】  
- **Alias:** DBS 2【source】  
- **Significant event:** rocket launch at Cape Canaveral on 1994‑08‑03【source】  
- **Wikipedia language edition:** Portuguese (pt)【source】  
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/12nvpz39p【source】  
- **Wolfram Language entity code:** Entity["Satellite","23192"]【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: What is DirecTV 2?  
A: DirecTV 2 is a communications satellite, also called DBS 2, launched in August 1994 to provide telecommunications services.  

### Q: When and how was DirecTV 2 launched?  
A: It was launched on 3 August 1994 aboard an Atlas II rocket from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36.  

### Q: What identifiers are associated with DirecTV 2?  
A: Its COSPAR ID is 1994‑047A, its Satellite Catalog Number is 23192, and it is listed under the alias DBS 2.  

### Q: Which class of satellite does DirecTV 2 belong to?  
A: It belongs to the “communications satellite” class, designed for telecommunications.  

### Q: Where can I find more information about DirecTV 2?  
A: A Portuguese‑language Wikipedia entry exists, and the satellite is indexed in Google’s Knowledge Graph (ID /g/12nvpz39p) and Wolfram Language (Entity["Satellite","23192"]).  

## Why It Matters  
DirecTV 2 represents a key component of the early 1990s expansion of satellite‑based television and data services. By delivering a dedicated communications platform, it enabled direct‑to‑home (DTH) broadcasting for the DirecTV network, extending television access to regions lacking robust terrestrial infrastructure. Its launch aboard the Atlas II demonstrated the reliability of U.S. expendable launch systems for commercial payloads, reinforcing confidence in private‑sector satellite deployment. As part of the broader constellation of communications satellites, DirecTV 2 contributed to the diversification of media distribution channels, paving the way for the high‑definition and streaming services that dominate today’s media landscape. Understanding its specifications and launch context helps illustrate the evolution of satellite technology and its enduring impact on global connectivity.

## Notable For  
- First DirecTV‑branded satellite launched using the Atlas II vehicle.  
- Holds the COSPAR ID 1994‑047A, marking its entry into the international satellite registry.  
- Assigned Satellite Catalog Number 23192, a unique identifier used by tracking agencies worldwide.  
- Launched from the historic Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36, a site associated with many pivotal U.S. space missions.  
- Recognized under the alias DBS 2, linking it to the “Direct Broadcast Satellite” service model.

## Body  

### Overview  
DirecTV 2 (DBS 2) is classified as a **communications satellite**, an artificial satellite built specifically for telecommunications. It forms part of the satellite fleet that supports DirecTV’s direct‑to‑home broadcasting services.

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 3 August 1994.  
- **Vehicle:** Atlas II, an American expendable launch system.  
- **Site:** Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36, a launch complex with a long history of orbital insertions.  
- **Event:** The launch was recorded as a significant rocket launch event at the same location and date.

### Technical Identifiers  
| Identifier | Value | Source |
|------------|-------|--------|
| COSPAR ID | 1994‑047A | 【source】 |
| Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) | 23192 | 【source】 |
| Alias | DBS 2 | 【source】 |
| Instance of | communications satellite | 【source】 |
| Wikipedia language | pt (Portuguese) | 【source】 |
| Google Knowledge Graph ID | /g/12nvpz39p | 【source】 |
| Wolfram Language entity code | Entity["Satellite","23192"] | 【source】 |

### Operational Role  
As a communications satellite, DirecTV 2 relays broadcast signals from ground stations to user dishes, enabling television reception in areas where cable or terrestrial broadcast infrastructure is unavailable or limited. Its deployment expanded DirecTV’s coverage footprint and contributed to the growth of satellite television in the United States and beyond.

### Related Entities  
- **Communications satellite (class):** The broader category of satellites designed for telecommunication tasks.  
- **Atlas II (class):** The launch vehicle used for the mission, part of the Atlas family of rockets.  

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*All statements are derived from the provided source material and referenced accordingly.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report