# Rohini Satellite RS-D2
**Wikidata**: [Q65516044](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q65516044)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rohini-satellite-rs-d2

## Summary
Rohini Satellite RS-D2 (also known as RS-D2) is an Indian Earth observation satellite launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 17 April 1983. It was deployed into low Earth orbit by the Satellite Launch Vehicle 3 (SLV-3) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre and remained in orbit until its decay on 19 April 1990.

## Key Facts
- Launched on 1983-04-17 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) using Satellite Launch Vehicle 3 (SLV-3).
- Mission class: Earth observation satellite; part of the Rohini Satellite Series.
- Operator, owner, and manufacturer: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- Orbit type: low Earth orbit with periapsis 371 km and apoapsis 861 km.
- Orbital inclination: 46 degrees.
- Mass at launch: 41.5 kilogram.
- COSPAR ID: 1983-033A.
- Spacecraft catalog number (SCN): 14002.
- Launch site (start point): Satish Dhawan Space Centre SLV Launch Pad.
- Time of orbital decay (end of mission): 1990-04-19.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Rohini Satellite RS-D2?
A: Rohini Satellite RS-D2 (RS-D2) was an Indian Earth observation satellite built, owned, and operated by ISRO and launched on 17 April 1983 into low Earth orbit.

### Q: How and where was RS-D2 launched?
A: RS-D2 was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SLV Launch Pad on 17 April 1983 using the Satellite Launch Vehicle 3 (SLV-3).

### Q: What were the orbital parameters of RS-D2?
A: RS-D2 orbited in low Earth orbit with a periapsis of 371 km, an apoapsis of 861 km, and an orbital inclination of 46 degrees.

### Q: How long did RS-D2 remain in orbit?
A: RS-D2 remained in orbit from its launch on 1983-04-17 until its orbital decay on 1990-04-19.

### Q: Who built and operated RS-D2?
A: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was the manufacturer, owner, and operator of RS-D2.

## Why It Matters
Rohini Satellite RS-D2 is a documented element of India’s early Earth observation and satellite technology efforts under the Rohini Satellite Series. As a small 41.5 kg spacecraft placed into low Earth orbit by ISRO’s SLV-3 launcher, RS-D2 represents a component of India’s progression in developing domestic launch capability and operational satellites. Its deployment from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre and subsequent nearly seven-year orbital lifetime (1983–1990) reflect practical experience in satellite design, launch operations, and orbital mission management. For researchers and historians, RS-D2 provides verifiable orbit, launch, and mission data (COSPAR ID 1983-033A, SCN 14002) that contribute to the record of India’s spaceflight history and the operational track record of the Rohini series.

## Notable For
- Being part of the Rohini Satellite Series of Indian artificial satellites designed for Earth observation.
- Launched by ISRO’s Satellite Launch Vehicle 3 (SLV-3) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on 17 April 1983.
- Small launch mass of 41.5 kg while achieving a multi-year presence in low Earth orbit (decay in 1990).
- Recorded identifiers: COSPAR ID 1983-033A and spacecraft catalog number 14002.

## Body

### Overview
- Name: Rohini Satellite RS-D2 (alias: RS-D2).
- Class: Earth observation satellite.
- Part of: Rohini Satellite Series.
- Country: India.
- Manufacturer / Operator / Owner: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

### Launch and mission
- Launch date (point in time): 1983-04-17.
- Launch vehicle: Satellite Launch Vehicle 3 (SLV-3).
- Launch site (start point): Satish Dhawan Space Centre SLV Launch Pad.
- Significant event recorded: rocket launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SLV Launch Pad on 1983-04-17.

### Orbital characteristics
- Orbit type: low Earth orbit.
- Periapsis (closest point to Earth): 371 km.
- Apoapsis (farthest point from Earth): 861 km.
- Orbital inclination: 46 degrees.
- COSPAR ID: 1983-033A.
- Spacecraft catalog number (SCN): 14002.
- Time of object orbit decay (end of mission): 1990-04-19.

### Physical characteristics
- Mass: 41.5 kilogram.

### Administrative details
- Country of origin: India.
- Part of larger program: Rohini Satellite Series.
- Ownership, operation, and manufacturing entity: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

### End of mission
- The satellite’s recorded orbital decay occurred on 1990-04-19, marking the end of its time in orbit.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://www.isro.gov.in/Spacecraft/rs-1-1)
3. [Source](https://www.isro.gov.in/Spacecraft/rohini-satellite-rs-d2)