# INSAT-2A

> Indian multipurpose satellite (in operation 1992-2002)

**Wikidata**: [Q13115903](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13115903)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INSAT-2A)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/insat-2a

## Summary
INSAT-2A was an Indian multipurpose communications satellite operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 1992 to 2002. Launched aboard an Ariane 44L rocket, it provided telecommunications, broadcasting, and meteorological services from geostationary orbit. As the first satellite in the INSAT-2 series, it marked a significant advancement in India's space-based communication infrastructure.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: July 9, 1992
- **Operator**: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- **Mass**: 1,906 kilograms
- **Dimensions**: 1.64m (width) × 1.7m (height) × 1.93m (length)
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 44L (Arianespace)
- **COSPAR ID**: 1992-041A
- **Orbit Type**: Geostationary
- **Operational Lifespan**: 1992–2002

## FAQs
### Q: When was INSAT-2A launched and how long did it operate?
A: INSAT-2A launched on July 9, 1992, and remained operational for a decade until 2002.

### Q: What was the primary purpose of INSAT-2A?
A: It served as a multipurpose communications satellite, supporting telecommunications, television broadcasting, and meteorological services in India.

### Q: Who built and operated INSAT-2A?
A: The satellite was developed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

## Why It Matters
INSAT-2A played a pivotal role in modernizing India's communication infrastructure in the 1990s. As part of the INSAT program, it enhanced national telecommunications, facilitated broadcast services, and provided critical meteorological data, contributing to socio-economic development. Its successful deployment demonstrated ISRO's growing technical capabilities in satellite design and operation, positioning India as a key player in global space technology. The satellite's decade-long operational lifespan underscored its reliability and the strategic importance of space-based assets for a developing nation.

## Notable For
- First satellite in the INSAT-2 series, introducing advanced features compared to earlier INSAT models.
- Utilized a geostationary orbit to provide continuous coverage of the Indian subcontinent.
- Deployed via the Ariane 44L rocket, highlighting international collaboration in launch services.
- Operated for a full decade, exceeding the typical lifespan of many contemporary satellites.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date**: July 9, 1992
- **Launch Site**: ELA-2, Guiana Space Centre
- **Vehicle**: Ariane 44L (Launch Contractor: Arianespace)

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 1,906 kg
- **Dimensions**: 1.64m (width) × 1.7m (height) × 1.93m (length)
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 22027

### Mission Profile
- **Orbit**: Geostationary
- **Services**: Telecommunications, television broadcasting, meteorological monitoring
- **Operational Period**: 1992–2002

### Legacy
INSAT-2A was a cornerstone of India's communication satellite fleet in the 1990s, supporting national development through enhanced connectivity and data services. Its success reinforced ISRO's reputation for cost-effective and mission-critical space technologies, paving the way for subsequent INSAT missions and solidifying India's self-reliance in space-based communication systems.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://www.isac.gov.in/communication/html/insat-2a.jsp)
3. [Source](https://www.isro.gov.in/spacecraft/list-of-communication-satellites)