# PROBA-2

> ESA technology demonstration satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q742155](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q742155)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PROBA-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/proba-2

## Summary
PROBA-2 is an ESA technology demonstration satellite in Earth orbit. It is part of the PROBA spacecraft series and follows PROBA-1, with PROBA-V listed as its successor. PROBA-2 operates in a Sun-synchronous orbit and carries solar-observation instruments including SWAP and LYRA.

## Key Facts
- PROBA-2 is an ESA technology demonstration spacecraft and an artificial satellite of the Earth.
- PROBA-2 launched on 2009-11-02 at 01:50:51 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133.
- The launch vehicle was a Rokot rocket, and the space tug/upper stage was Briz-KM.
- PROBA-2 has COSPAR ID 2009-059B and NSSDCA ID 2009-059B.
- PROBA-2’s launch mass is 130 kg (launch weight).
- PROBA-2 is powered by spacecraft solar arrays (2 arrays; 120 W specified in the provided sources).
- Orbit type: Sun-synchronous orbit (Earth).
- Orbit parameters (as of May 4, 2024): periapsis 702.95 km, apoapsis 722.93 km, inclination 98.2314°, eccentricity 0.0014091, orbital period 99.04 minutes.
- Operator: European Space Security and Education Centre.
- Manufacturer: Verhaert.
- PROBA-2 carries scientific instruments including Sun Watcher using Active Pixel System Detector and Image Processing (SWAP) and the Lyman Alpha Radiometer (LYRA).
- Relationships: follows PROBA-1; followed by PROBA-V; part of the PROBA spacecraft bus/series.
- Official website: https://www.esa.int/proba2

## FAQs
### Q: What is PROBA-2?
A: PROBA-2 is an ESA technology demonstration satellite in Earth orbit. It is part of the PROBA series and carries instruments including SWAP and the Lyman Alpha Radiometer (LYRA).

### Q: When and how was PROBA-2 launched?
A: PROBA-2 launched on 2009-11-02 at 01:50:51 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133. It was launched on a Rokot rocket with a Briz-KM space tug/upper stage.

### Q: What orbit is PROBA-2 in?
A: PROBA-2 is in a Sun-synchronous orbit around Earth. As of May 4, 2024, its orbit is approximately 703–723 km in altitude with a 98.2314° inclination and a 99.04-minute orbital period.

### Q: Who operates PROBA-2?
A: PROBA-2 is operated by the European Space Security and Education Centre. Its official ESA mission page is https://www.esa.int/proba2.

### Q: What satellites come before and after PROBA-2 in its series?
A: PROBA-2 follows PROBA-1. PROBA-V is listed as the satellite that follows PROBA-2.

## Why It Matters
PROBA-2 matters as an ESA technology demonstration spacecraft: its primary role is to operate in Earth orbit as a platform for demonstrating and flying technologies and instruments. It is part of the PROBA series (Project for On-Board Autonomy), linking it to a lineage that includes PROBA-1 (which it follows) and PROBA-V (which follows it). The mission is also relevant because it carries specific scientific instruments—SWAP (Sun Watcher using Active Pixel System Detector and Image Processing) and the Lyman Alpha Radiometer (LYRA)—which are explicitly identified as payloads aboard the satellite. Operationally, PROBA-2’s Sun-synchronous orbit provides consistent lighting conditions and repeatable ground-track geometry, and its published orbital parameters (periapsis, apoapsis, inclination, period, and eccentricity) make it a well-characterized spacecraft for tracking and mission context. Its relatively small launch mass (130 kg) and solar-array power system (2 arrays; 120 W specified) further position it as a compact, self-powered satellite platform used for in-orbit demonstration and instrument hosting within ESA’s broader space technology and mission ecosystem.

## Notable For
- Being an ESA technology demonstration satellite in the PROBA series (spacecraft bus: PROBA).
- Launching on a Rokot rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133, using a Briz-KM space tug/upper stage.
- Operating in a Sun-synchronous Earth orbit with published tracking parameters (e.g., ~99.04-minute period as of May 4, 2024).
- Carrying the SWAP instrument (Sun Watcher using Active Pixel System Detector and Image Processing) and the Lyman Alpha Radiometer (LYRA).
- Having internationally used identifiers COSPAR 2009-059B and NORAD/SCN 36037.

## Body
### Identity and Classification
- Name: PROBA-2
- Aliases: PROBA2; Project for On-Board Autonomy 2
- Description (provided): ESA technology demonstration satellite
- Instance of:
  - technology demonstration spacecraft
  - artificial satellite of the Earth
- Parent astronomical body: Earth
- Part of: PROBA (spacecraft bus/series)

### Launch and Mission Event
- Launch date and time: 2009-11-02, 01:50:51
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133
- Launch vehicle: Rokot
- Space tug / upper stage: Briz-KM
- Significant event recorded: rocket launch at Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133 (point in time: 2009-11-02)

### Operators and Manufacturing
- Operator: European Space Security and Education Centre
- Manufacturer: Verhaert
- Official website: https://www.esa.int/proba2

### Spacecraft Characteristics
- Launch mass: 130 kg (criterion used: launch weight)
- Power:
  - Powered by: spacecraft solar array
  - Qualifiers provided: 2 solar arrays; 120 W

### Orbit and Tracking (Earth Orbit)
- Orbit type: Sun-synchronous orbit
- NORAD/SCN: 36037
- COSPAR ID: 2009-059B
- NSSDCA ID: 2009-059B
- Orbit parameters (timestamped May 4, 2024):
  - Periapsis: 702.95 km
  - Apoapsis: 722.93 km
  - Inclination: 98.2314°
  - Eccentricity: 0.0014091
  - Orbital period: 99.04 minutes

### Instruments and Payload
- Carries scientific instruments:
  - Sun Watcher using Active Pixel System Detector and Image Processing (SWAP)
  - Lyman Alpha Radiometer (LYRA)
- Related item explicitly noted: SWAP is a space instrument aboard the PROBA-2 satellite.

### Series Relationships
- Follows / preceded by: PROBA-1
- Followed by / succeeded by: PROBA-V

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "PROBA-2",
  "description": "ESA technology demonstration satellite in Earth orbit.",
  "url": "https://www.esa.int/proba2",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PROBA-2",
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15241312"
  ],
  "additionalType": "https://schema.org/Satellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/proba-2.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.belspo.be/belspo/space/esa_esec_en.stm)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. Space-Track
5. [Source](https://space.oscar.wmo.int/satellites/view/proba_2)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](https://heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=36037)