# Lincoln Experimental Satellite 2

> former American communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q11756910](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11756910)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LES-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lincoln-experimental-satellite-2

## Summary
Lincoln Experimental Satellite 2 (LES-2) was a former American communications satellite launched on May 6, 1965, as part of the Lincoln Experimental Satellite program. It was built by MIT Lincoln Laboratory and operated by the United States Air Force, serving as both a communications satellite and a technology demonstration spacecraft.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: May 6, 1965, at 15:00:03 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 20.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Titan IIIA (model 3A-6).
- **Manufacturer**: MIT Lincoln Laboratory.
- **Operators**: United States Air Force and MIT Lincoln Laboratory.
- **Classifications**: Communications satellite and technology demonstration spacecraft.
- **Mass**: 37 kilograms (launch weight).
- **Diameter**: 61 centimeters.
- **Power Source**: Solar cells (27 units).
- **Part of**: Lincoln Experimental Satellite series.
- **Preceded by**: Lincoln Experimental Satellite 1.
- **Followed by**: Lincoln Experimental Satellite 3.
- **Retired**: 1967.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Lincoln Experimental Satellite 2?
A: LES-2 was designed to demonstrate experimental technologies and serve as a communications satellite, contributing to early satellite communication research.

### Q: Who built Lincoln Experimental Satellite 2?
A: The satellite was built by MIT Lincoln Laboratory, a research institution known for its work in satellite technology.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for LES-2?
A: LES-2 was launched using a Titan IIIA rocket, specifically model 3A-6, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 20.

### Q: How long was LES-2 operational?
A: LES-2 was operational until 1967, when it was retired.

### Q: What was the significance of the Lincoln Experimental Satellite series?
A: The series was significant for advancing satellite communication and technology demonstration, with LES-2 being part of a broader effort to test and refine satellite capabilities.

## Why It Matters
Lincoln Experimental Satellite 2 played a crucial role in the early development of satellite communications and technology demonstration. As part of the Lincoln Experimental Satellite program, LES-2 contributed to the understanding of satellite operations, communication systems, and experimental technologies. Its launch and subsequent retirement marked a milestone in the evolution of satellite technology, providing valuable data for future advancements in the field. The satellite's role in demonstrating experimental technologies and serving as a communications platform underscores its importance in shaping the trajectory of space-based communication systems.

## Notable For
- **Technology Demonstration**: LES-2 was notable for its role in testing and demonstrating new satellite technologies.
- **Early Communications**: It contributed to the development of early satellite communication systems.
- **Part of a Series**: LES-2 was part of the Lincoln Experimental Satellite series, which included LES-1 and LES-3.
- **Operational Longevity**: Despite its retirement in 1967, LES-2 was part of a broader effort to extend the operational lifespan of early satellites.
- **Collaborative Effort**: The satellite was a collaborative project between MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the United States Air Force, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary research in satellite development.

## Body
### Overview
Lincoln Experimental Satellite 2 (LES-2) was a communications satellite launched on May 6, 1965, as part of the Lincoln Experimental Satellite program. Built by MIT Lincoln Laboratory, it was operated by the United States Air Force and served as both a communications satellite and a technology demonstration spacecraft.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 37 kilograms (launch weight).
- **Diameter**: 61 centimeters.
- **Power Source**: Solar cells (27 units).
- **Launch Vehicle**: Titan IIIA (model 3A-6).
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 20.

### Operational Details
- **Launch Date**: May 6, 1965, at 15:00:03 UTC.
- **Retirement Date**: 1967.
- **Preceded by**: Lincoln Experimental Satellite 1.
- **Followed by**: Lincoln Experimental Satellite 3.

### Significance
LES-2 was part of the Lincoln Experimental Satellite series, which aimed to demonstrate experimental technologies and advance satellite communication. Its launch and subsequent operations contributed to the understanding of satellite technology and its applications.

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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/les-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19730022102/downloads/19730022102.pdf)