# Hellas Sat 2

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q17516851](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17516851)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellas_Sat_2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hellas-sat-2

## Summary
Hellas Sat 2 is a communications satellite launched on May 13, 2003. It was deployed into geostationary orbit using an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral. The satellite is identified by the COSPAR ID 2003-020A and is also known by several aliases, including NSS-6 and Intelsat K-TV.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Communications satellite (artificial satellite designed for telecommunications).
- **Launch Date:** May 13, 2003.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Atlas V 401 (United Launch Alliance).
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit.
- **COSPAR ID:** 2003-020A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 27811.
- **Aliases:** Intelsat K-TV, NSS-6, Intelsat APR-3, Sinosat 1B, NSS-K-TV.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Hellas Sat 2 launched?
A: Hellas Sat 2 was launched on May 13, 2003, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Hellas Sat 2?
A: The satellite was launched aboard an Atlas V 401 rocket, a launch vehicle associated with the United Launch Alliance.

### Q: What is the primary function of Hellas Sat 2?
A: Hellas Sat 2 is a communications satellite, meaning it is an artificial satellite designed specifically for telecommunications purposes.

### Q: What are the other names for Hellas Sat 2?
A: The satellite is also known by the aliases Intelsat K-TV, NSS-6, Intelsat APR-3, Sinosat 1B, and NSS-K-TV.

## Why It Matters
Hellas Sat 2 serves as a key asset in the domain of space-based telecommunications. As a geostationary satellite, it provides a fixed footprint relative to the Earth, allowing for stable communication links that are essential for broadcasting and data transmission services. Its launch aboard the Atlas V 401 marks it as a participant in the early 2000s expansion of commercial satellite capabilities. The existence of multiple aliases—such as NSS-6 and Intelsat APR-3—suggests a complex operational history or multi-market functionality, indicating that the spacecraft serves (or served) diverse client bases across different regions. This multi-identity aspect highlights the collaborative and often multinational nature of orbital slot allocations and satellite operations in the global telecommunications industry.

## Notable For
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was orbited using the Atlas V 401 configuration, a prominent U.S. launch vehicle.
- **Orbital Position:** The satellite operates in geostationary orbit, maintaining a constant position relative to the Earth's surface.
- **Multiple Identities:** It holds a high number of aliases (5 distinct names), including designations for different operators like Intelsat and NSS.
- **Specific Launch Complex:** It utilized Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral for its deployment.

## Body
### Technical Identification
Hellas Sat 2 is officially cataloged in space tracking systems under specific identifiers to distinguish it from other orbital objects. Its Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) is **27811**, and its international designator (COSPAR ID) is **2003-020A**. These codes confirm the satellite's launch year (2003) and its sequence in that year's launch manifest.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite's deployment was a significant event marked by precise logistics:
- **Date of Launch:** The mission took place on May 13, 2003.
- **Location:** The launch originated from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.
- **Vehicle:** An Atlas V 401 was used to propel the satellite from the Earth's atmosphere.
This event is formally classified as a "rocket launch" significant event in structured databases.

### Operational Design
Designed as a **communications satellite**, Hellas Sat 2 is engineered to relay signals across geographies. Its placement in **geostationary orbit** ensures that it circles the Earth at the same speed the Earth rotates, allowing it to hover over a fixed longitude. This characteristic is vital for maintaining continuous communication links with ground stations.

### Nomenclature
The entity is distinct for having a wide array of alternate titles, reflecting its potential resale, leasing, or joint-venture history. In addition to **Hellas Sat 2**, it is frequently referenced in databases and operational contexts as:
- Intelsat K-TV
- NSS-6
- Intelsat APR-3
- Sinosat 1B
- NSS-K-TV

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report