# Hélios 2A

> European military reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q1041853](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1041853)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helios_2_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/helios-2a

## Summary
Hélios 2A is a European military reconnaissance satellite launched in 2004 as part of France's defense program. It was designed to covertly collect intelligence data for military applications, operating in a sun-synchronous orbit. The satellite was built by Astrium and operated by the Direction générale de l'Armement.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Reconnaissance satellite for military intelligence
- **Launch date**: December 18, 2004, at 16:26 UTC
- **Launch vehicle**: Ariane 5G+ (flight V165)
- **Launch site**: ELA-3, Guiana Space Centre
- **Operator**: Direction générale de l'Armement (France)
- **Manufacturer**: Astrium
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous orbit
- **Mass**: 4,200 kg at launch
- **Power source**: Spacecraft solar array (1 unit)
- **Predecessor**: Hélios 1B (1999–2004)
- **Successor**: Hélios 2B
- **Space tug**: EPS-V L10 (520g)
- **Aliases**: Helios 2A, Helios IIA, Satellite Helios II-A, Hélios II-A

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Hélios 2A?
A: Hélios 2A was a military reconnaissance satellite designed to covertly collect intelligence data for France's defense forces.

### Q: Who operated Hélios 2A?
A: The satellite was operated by the Direction générale de l'Armement, France's defense procurement agency.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for Hélios 2A?
A: It was launched aboard an Ariane 5G+ rocket (flight V165) from the Guiana Space Centre on December 18, 2004.

### Q: What was the orbit of Hélios 2A?
A: Hélios 2A operated in a sun-synchronous orbit, allowing for consistent imaging conditions.

### Q: What was the mass of Hélios 2A at launch?
A: The satellite had a launch mass of 4,200 kilograms.

## Why It Matters
Hélios 2A was part of France's strategic military reconnaissance program, providing critical intelligence support for national defense. As a successor to Hélios 1B, it represented an evolution in France's space-based surveillance capabilities. The satellite's launch and operation demonstrated France's commitment to maintaining advanced reconnaissance assets in orbit. Its role in military intelligence underscores the growing importance of space-based surveillance in modern defense strategies. Hélios 2A's sun-synchronous orbit and solar-powered design ensured reliable data collection for intelligence purposes. The satellite's development and deployment contributed to France's broader space program, showcasing the country's expertise in both civilian and military space applications.

## Notable For
- First military reconnaissance satellite in France's Hélios series after Hélios 1B
- Operated by France's defense procurement agency, the Direction générale de l'Armement
- Launched on an Ariane 5G+ rocket, a powerful European launch vehicle
- Equipped with a spacecraft solar array for power generation
- Part of a sun-synchronous orbit constellation for consistent imaging
- Successor to Hélios 1B and predecessor to Hélios 2B

## Body
### Overview
Hélios 2A was a European military reconnaissance satellite launched in 2004 as part of France's defense program. It was designed to covertly collect intelligence data for military applications, operating in a sun-synchronous orbit. The satellite was built by Astrium and operated by the Direction générale de l'Armement.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 4,200 kg at launch
- **Power source**: Spacecraft solar array (1 unit)
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous orbit
- **Launch vehicle**: Ariane 5G+ (flight V165)
- **Launch date**: December 18, 2004, at 16:26 UTC
- **Launch site**: ELA-3, Guiana Space Centre
- **Space tug**: EPS-V L10 (520g)

### Mission Details
- **Operator**: Direction générale de l'Armement
- **Manufacturer**: Astrium
- **Spacecraft bus**: SPOT
- **Predecessor**: Hélios 1B (1999–2004)
- **Successor**: Hélios 2B

### Significance
Hélios 2A was part of France's strategic military reconnaissance program, providing critical intelligence support for national defense. As a successor to Hélios 1B, it represented an evolution in France's space-based surveillance capabilities. The satellite's launch and operation demonstrated France's commitment to maintaining advanced reconnaissance assets in orbit. Its role in military intelligence underscores the growing importance of space-based surveillance in modern defense strategies.

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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Hélios 2A",
  "description": "European military reconnaissance satellite launched in 2004",
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/helios-2a.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/astrium_spot.htm)