# Italsat 2

> decommissioned Italian communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q18327674](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18327674)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/italsat-2

## Summary
Italsat 2 was a decommissioned Italian communications satellite launched in 1996 to provide telecommunications services. Operated by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), it remained operational until 2002, after which it became a derelict satellite in geostationary orbit. It was part of the Italsat series and utilized advanced propulsion and solar array technology for its time.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 8, 1996, at 22:49:00 UTC.
- **Operator**: Italian Space Agency (ASI).
- **Manufacturer**: Alenia Spazio.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 44L (variant V90), launched from ELA-2.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1996-044A.
- **Mission End**: July 2002 (due to breakdown).
- **Mass**: 1,983 kg (launch weight), 900 kg (operating weight).
- **Dimensions**: Spacecraft bus (2.22m width, 3.48m height, 2.72m length); solar arrays (21.7m span).
- **Classifications**: Part of the Italsat series; classified as a derelict satellite.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Italsat 2 launched?
A: Italsat 2 was launched on August 8, 1996, at 22:49:00 UTC aboard an Ariane 44L rocket from ELA-2.

### Q: Why was Italsat 2 decommissioned?
A: Italsat 2 was decommissioned in July 2002 due to a breakdown, rendering it nonfunctional and leaving it in orbit as a derelict satellite.

### Q: What was the purpose of Italsat 2?
A: Italsat 2 provided telecommunications services from geostationary orbit, supporting Italian communication needs during its operational lifespan.

## Why It Matters
Italsat 2 played a critical role in Italy’s telecommunications infrastructure during the late 1990s and early 2000s, demonstrating the country’s capabilities in space technology. As part of the Italsat series, it contributed to advancements in satellite design, including the use of solar arrays and propulsion systems like the R-4D engine. Its decommissioning and status as a derelict satellite highlight challenges in space sustainability, particularly the issue of orbital debris. Italsat 2’s legacy reflects both the achievements and the environmental considerations of early 21st-century space operations.

## Notable For
- **Second in Series**: Italsat 2 followed Italsat 1, building on Italy’s domestic satellite communication program.
- **Advanced Propulsion**: Utilized the R-4D propulsion system and solar arrays generating 1,600 watts of power.
- **GeoBus Platform**: Constructed using the GeoBus spacecraft bus, a modular design for geostationary satellites.
- **Six-Year Lifespan**: Operated for six years before mechanical failure led to its retirement.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
Italsat 2 was launched on August 8, 1996, at 22:49:00 UTC from the ELA-2 launch pad in Kourou, French Guiana. The Ariane 44L rocket (variant V90) deployed the satellite into geostationary orbit, where it operated for six years.

### Design and Specifications
- **Spacecraft Bus**: GeoBus platform with dimensions 2.22m (width) × 3.48m (height) × 2.72m (length).
- **Solar Arrays**: 21.7m span, generating 1,600 watts of power via two panels.
- **Propulsion**: R-4D engine for orbital maneuvers.
- **Mass**: 1,983 kg at launch, reducing to 900 kg during operation.

### Mission and Retirement
Italsat 2 provided telecommunications services until July 2002, when a mechanical breakdown led to its decommissioning. After retirement, it remained in orbit as a derelict satellite, classified under the “derelict satellite” category.

### Legacy
The satellite’s design and operational lifespan contributed to Italy’s space technology development, while its post-mission status underscores the need for sustainable end-of-life practices in space exploration.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Satellite",
  "name": "Italsat 2",
  "description": "Decommissioned Italian communications satellite launched in 1996.",
  "url": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11921",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italsat_2",
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11921"
  ],
  "manufacturer": "Alenia Spazio",
  "operator": "Italian Space Agency",
  "launchDate": "1996-08-08",
  "cosparId": "1996-044A",
  "mass": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": 1983,
    "unitText": "kg",
    "description": "Launch weight"
  },
  "height": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": 3.48,
    "unitText": "m",
    "description": "Spacecraft bus height"
  }
}

## References

1. [Source](https://www.space-propulsion.com/spacecraft-propulsion/heritage/page-078.html)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/italsat-1.htm)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1996-044A)
5. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1991-003A)
6. [Source](https://openportal.isti.cnr.it/data/2002/120464/2002_120464.pdf)