# Eutelsat I F-2

> decommissioned European communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q16061296](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16061296)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutelsat_I_F-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eutelsat-i-f-2

## Summary
Eutelsat I F-2 is a decommissioned European communications satellite that was operated by Eutelsat in geostationary orbit. Launched in 1984, it provided telecommunications services for nine years before being retired in 1993. It currently remains in space as a derelict satellite.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** August 4, 1984 (13:32:54 UTC)
- **Classifications:** Communications satellite, geostationary satellite, derelict satellite
- **Operator:** Eutelsat
- **Manufacturer:** British Aerospace
- **Launch Vehicle:** Ariane 3 (Flight V10)
- **Mass:** 1,158 kilograms
- **Service Life:** 9 years (exceeded 7-year design life)
- **Spacecraft Bus:** ECS-Bus
- **Status:** Decommissioned in 1993

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Eutelsat I F-2?
A: It was a communications satellite designed for telecommunications services across Europe. It operated in a geostationary orbit to provide consistent coverage to the region.

### Q: Who built and launched Eutelsat I F-2?
A: The satellite was manufactured by British Aerospace and launched by Arianespace using an Ariane 3 rocket from the ELA-1 launch site.

### Q: Is Eutelsat I F-2 still operational?
A: No, the satellite was decommissioned in 1993. It is now classified as a derelict satellite, meaning it is a nonfunctional artificial object that remains in orbit.

### Q: How was the satellite powered?
A: Eutelsat I F-2 was powered by two spacecraft solar arrays.

## Why It Matters
Eutelsat I F-2 represented a significant step in the development of European space-based telecommunications infrastructure during the 1980s. As part of the first generation of Eutelsat satellites, it helped establish the reliability of the ECS-Bus platform, which was manufactured by British Aerospace. 

The satellite is notable for its longevity, as it successfully provided service for nine years, surpassing its original seven-year design life. Its transition from an active communications tool to a derelict satellite highlights the long-term lifecycle of geostationary objects and the ongoing presence of decommissioned hardware in Earth's orbital environment. Its history is also linked to the early operational years of the Ariane 3 launch vehicle and the Arianespace contractor.

## Notable For
- **Extended Service:** Successfully operated for nine years, two years beyond its intended seven-year design life.
- **Platform:** Built on the ECS-Bus spacecraft platform, a standard for early European communications satellites.
- **Launch Milestone:** Launched on flight V10 of the Ariane 3 rocket family.
- **Succession:** It followed Eutelsat I F-1 and was followed by Eutelsat I F-3 (which was later lost in a 1985 launch failure).

## Body

### Technical Specifications
Eutelsat I F-2, also known by aliases such as ECS 2 and European Communications Satellite 2, was a sophisticated spacecraft for its era. It had a launch mass of 1,158 kg and utilized the ECS-Bus architecture. For power generation, the craft was equipped with two solar arrays. Its technical identifiers include COSPAR ID 1984-081A and Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 15158.

### Launch and Orbit
The satellite was launched on August 4, 1984, at 13:32:54 UTC from the ELA-1 launch complex. The mission utilized an Ariane 3 rocket (V10) and was managed by the launch contractor Arianespace. Upon reaching its destination, it was positioned in geostationary orbit to serve the European region.

### Operational History
During its active years, Eutelsat I F-2 was managed by the operator Eutelsat. It was the second satellite in its series, following Eutelsat I F-1. While its design life was specified at seven years, the satellite remained functional for a total of nine years. 

### Decommissioning and Current Status
In 1993, Eutelsat I F-2 reached the end of its functional life and underwent spacecraft decommissioning. Because it was not returned to Earth or destroyed, it is categorized as a derelict satellite. It remains in orbit as an abandoned artificial object.

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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ecs-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/bae__ecs.htm)