# ESA-GEOS 2

> ESA geostationary research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q1485199](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1485199)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/esa-geos-2

## Summary
ESA-GEOS 2 is a geostationary research satellite launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) to study Earth's magnetosphere. It was the second in the Geostationary Earth Orbit Satellite series and operated in a geostationary orbit, providing critical data on geomagnetic activity.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: July 14, 1978, at 10:43 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A.
- **Operator**: European Space Agency (ESA).
- **Mass**: 573 kg (launch weight), 273.6 kg (dry weight).
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit with an apoapsis of 35,774.1 km and periapsis of 35,615.5 km.
- **Power Source**: Solar cells generating 110 watts.
- **Manufacturer**: British Aircraft Corporation.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta 2000 rocket (D143 variant).
- **Dimensions**: Height of 1.321 meters, diameter of 1.645 meters.
- **Orbital Period**: 1,431.2 minutes (approximately 23.85 hours).
- **COSPAR ID**: 1978-071A.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of ESA-GEOS 2?
A: ESA-GEOS 2 was designed to monitor Earth's magnetosphere and related regions, contributing to geomagnetic research.

### Q: When was ESA-GEOS 2 launched?
A: It was launched on July 14, 1978, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A.

### Q: Who operated ESA-GEOS 2?
A: The satellite was operated by the European Space Agency (ESA).

### Q: What was the mass of ESA-GEOS 2?
A: The satellite had a launch weight of 573 kg and a dry weight of 273.6 kg.

### Q: What type of orbit did ESA-GEOS 2 use?
A: ESA-GEOS 2 operated in a geostationary orbit, with an apoapsis of 35,774.1 km and a periapsis of 35,615.5 km.

## Why It Matters
ESA-GEOS 2 played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of Earth's magnetosphere. As part of the Geostationary Earth Orbit Satellite series, it provided valuable data on geomagnetic activity, which is essential for studying space weather and its impact on satellite communications and power grids. The satellite's observations helped scientists better understand the interactions between the solar wind and Earth's magnetic field, contributing to the broader field of space science. Its successful operation also demonstrated the capabilities of the European Space Agency in conducting advanced space research.

## Notable For
- **Geomagnetic Research**: ESA-GEOS 2 was specifically designed to monitor Earth's magnetosphere, making it a key tool for geomagnetic studies.
- **Geostationary Orbit**: It was one of the early satellites to operate in a geostationary orbit, providing continuous coverage of a specific region.
- **European Collaboration**: The satellite was a product of European collaboration, manufactured by the British Aircraft Corporation and operated by ESA.
- **Data Contribution**: It provided critical data on geomagnetic activity, contributing to the understanding of space weather.
- **Technical Specifications**: With a height of 1.321 meters and a diameter of 1.645 meters, it was a compact yet powerful research tool.

## Body
### Overview
ESA-GEOS 2 is a geomagnetic satellite launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) on July 14, 1978. It was part of the Geostationary Earth Orbit Satellite series, which aimed to study Earth's magnetosphere and related regions.

### Launch and Orbit
- **Launch Date**: July 14, 1978, at 10:43 UTC.
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta 2000 rocket (D143 variant).
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit with an apoapsis of 35,774.1 km and a periapsis of 35,615.5 km.
- **Orbital Period**: 1,431.2 minutes (approximately 23.85 hours).
- **Orbital Inclination**: 0.772 degrees.
- **Orbital Eccentricity**: 0.00189.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 573 kg (launch weight), 273.6 kg (dry weight).
- **Dimensions**: Height of 1.321 meters, diameter of 1.645 meters.
- **Power Source**: Solar cells generating 110 watts.
- **Manufacturer**: British Aircraft Corporation.

### Mission and Objectives
ESA-GEOS 2 was designed to monitor Earth's magnetosphere and related regions. Its primary objective was to provide data on geomagnetic activity, which is essential for studying space weather and its impact on satellite communications and power grids.

### Significance
The satellite's observations helped scientists better understand the interactions between the solar wind and Earth's magnetic field. Its successful operation demonstrated the capabilities of the European Space Agency in conducting advanced space research.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "ESA-GEOS 2",
  "description": "ESA geostationary research satellite designed to monitor Earth's magnetosphere.",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367"],
  "additionalType": "Geomagnetic Satellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/esa-geos.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/geos-esa#geos-2)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/publications/ESA-Bulletin-009/offline/download.pdf)
5. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=10981)
6. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1978-071A)
7. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1978-071A)