# Intelsat 602

> Geostationary communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q6044233](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6044233)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelsat_602)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intelsat-602

## Summary
Intelsat 602 is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Intelsat. Launched on October 27, 1989, it was deployed into orbit using an Ariane 44L rocket from the ELA-2 launch site.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Geostationary communications satellite.
- **Operator:** Intelsat.
- **Launch Date:** October 27, 1989.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Ariane 44L (a rocket in the Ariane 4 series).
- **Launch Site:** ELA-2.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1989-087A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 20315.
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch occurring on October 27, 1989, at ELA-2.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Intelsat 602 launched?
A: Intelsat 602 was launched on October 27, 1989.

### Q: What type of satellite is Intelsat 602?
A: It is classified as a geostationary communications satellite designed for telecommunications.

### Q: What rocket was used to deploy Intelsat 602?
A: The satellite was launched aboard an Ariane 44L rocket.

### Q: Where did the launch of Intelsat 602 take place?
A: The launch originated from the ELA-2 launch site.

## Why It Matters
Intelsat 602 represents a specific era of space infrastructure development led by the global satellite operator Intelsat during the late 1980s. As a geostationary communications satellite, it was engineered to provide fixed telecommunications services, a critical component of global connectivity before the widespread adoption of fiber-optic cables and modern mobile networks.

The satellite's launch aboard an Ariane 44L vehicle highlights the operational capabilities of the Ariane 4 series during its peak usage. The mission utilized the ELA-2 launch complex, a site historically significant for European spaceflight. By maintaining a geostationary position, Intelsat 602 contributed to the network of artificial satellites designed to relay signals across the globe, serving as a node in the broader infrastructure of international telecommunications.

## Notable For
- Being a dedicated geostationary platform for the Intelsat organization.
- Utilizing the Ariane 44L configuration, a variant of the workhorse Ariane 4 rocket.
- Launching from the ELA-2 (Ensemble de Lancement 2) facility.
- Bearing the unique identifiers COSPAR 1989-087A and SCN 20315.

## Body

### Mission Profile and Specifications
Intelsat 602 functions as an artificial satellite designed specifically for telecommunications. It is operated by Intelsat, a major satellite services provider. The spacecraft resides in a geostationary orbit, which allows it to maintain a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface, facilitating continuous communication coverage over a specific geographic area.

The satellite is tracked under the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 20315 and the international designator COSPAR ID 1989-087A. These identifiers are used to distinguish the object within space object tracking databases and registries.

### Launch Details
The deployment of Intelsat 602 was a significant event marked by precise logistical coordination. The launch took place on October 27, 1989.

*   **Launch Vehicle:** The satellite was delivered to orbit by an Ariane 44L rocket. This vehicle is a class of rocket belonging to the Ariane 4 series, which was frequently used for heavy-lift geostationary transfer missions during that period.
*   **Launch Site:** The mission launched from ELA-2 (Ensemble de Lancement 2), a primary launch pad utilized for the Ariane family of rockets.
*   **Event Classification:** Structured data classifies the launch as a "rocket launch," marking the transition of the entity from ground-based hardware to an active orbital asset.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report