# San Marco 2

> second Italian satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q16325268](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16325268)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/san-marco-2

## Summary
San Marco 2 was an Italian artificial satellite designed for scientific research. Launched on April 26, 1967, it is recognized as the second Italian satellite and was part of the five-satellite San Marco series. The spacecraft was deployed using a Scout B rocket from the Broglio Space Centre.

## Key Facts
- **Official Designation:** San Marco 2 (also known as San Marco B or San Marco II).
- **Classification:** Research satellite; defined as a former entity.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1967-038A.
- **Launch Date:** April 26, 1967.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Scout B rocket.
- **Launch Site:** Broglio Space Centre.
- **Parent Series:** Part of the San Marco series, which consisted of five Italian artificial satellites.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** 02761.
- **Primary Function:** Scientific research.

## FAQs
### Q: What was San Marco 2?
A: San Marco 2 was a research satellite and the second artificial satellite launched by Italy. It was built to conduct scientific research as part of the broader San Marco program.

### Q: When and where was San Marco 2 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on April 26, 1967, from the Broglio Space Centre. It was delivered into orbit using a Scout B rocket.

### Q: How does San Marco 2 relate to the wider San Marco program?
A: San Marco 2 was the second mission in the San Marco series, a program comprising five Italian satellites. It followed the first satellite in the series and contributed to the program's research goals.

## Why It Matters
San Marco 2 holds a distinct place in the history of space exploration as a critical milestone for the Italian space program. As the second satellite launched by Italy, it solidified the nation's early entry into the exclusive group of countries capable of deploying artificial satellites in the 1960s. While the first satellite establishes a capability, the second confirms a program's sustainability and technical reliability.

The mission is particularly notable for its utilization of the Broglio Space Centre and the Scout B launch vehicle. The successful launch in April 1967 demonstrated the operational effectiveness of this infrastructure for Italian scientific endeavors. As a "research satellite," San Marco 2 contributed to the accumulation of scientific data in low Earth orbit, continuing the work initiated by its predecessor. It represents a key historical data point in the "San Marco" series, which spanned five satellites overall, marking Italy's sustained commitment to space research during the pioneering era of the Space Race. The mission remains a referenced entity in major knowledge graphs and astronomical databases (identified by COSPAR ID 1967-038A), underscoring its enduring historical relevance.

## Notable For
- **National Milestone:** Being the second artificial satellite successfully launched by Italy.
- **Program Continuity:** Serving as the second unit in the five-satellite San Marco series.
- **Launch Infrastructure:** utilizing the Broglio Space Centre (San Marco Equatorial Range) as its launch site.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Being deployed via the Scout B rocket model.
- **Historical Status:** Being classified as a "former entity" that operated during the early era of space exploration (1967).

## Body

### Mission Profile and Classification
San Marco 2, identified scientifically by the Satellite Catalog Number 02761 and COSPAR ID 1967-038A, was an artificial satellite classified primarily as a research satellite. It is historically cited as the second Italian satellite. The entity is also referred to in records by the aliases San Marco B and San Marco II. Structurally and functionally, it belonged to the class of spacecraft designed specifically for scientific research.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite's deployment was executed on April 26, 1967. The launch event was a significant operation involving specific aerospace technologies of the era:
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The satellite was propelled into orbit by a Scout B rocket.
*   **Launch Site:** The mission originated from the Broglio Space Centre.
*   **Significant Event:** The launch is recorded as a "rocket launch" event taking place specifically at the Broglio Space Centre on the recorded date.

### Series Context
San Marco 2 was a constituent element of the "San Marco" class or series. This program was a defined series of five Italian artificial satellites. As the second iteration (implied by the name and explicit "second Italian satellite" description), it followed the inaugural launch of the series and preceded three subsequent missions. The satellite is currently classified as a "former entity," indicating it is no longer operational.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report