# SICRAL 2

> Italian military communication satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q18483464](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18483464)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sicral-2

## Summary  
SICRAL 2 is an Italian‑French military communications satellite placed in geostationary orbit on 26 April 2015. Built by Thales Alenia Space on a Spacebus‑4000B2 bus, it provides secure, long‑duration communications for the Italian Ministry of Defence and France’s Direction générale de l’Armement.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 26 April 2015 (20:00:07 UTC) aboard an Ariane 5 ECA (flight VA222).  
- **Mass at launch:** 4 360 kg (launch weight); dry mass ≈ 1 910 kg.  
- **Operator:** Ministry of Defence of Italy and France’s Direction générale de l’Armement.  
- **Manufacturer & bus:** Thales Alenia Space; spacecraft bus Spacebus‑4000B2.  
- **Power system:** Two solar arrays delivering ~7 kW; equipped with an S400 apogee motor.  
- **Design life:** 15 years (design service life).  
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit (COSPAR ID 2015‑022B).  
- **Series position:** Follows SICRAL 1B and precedes the proposed SICRAL 3A; part of the SICRAL family.  
- **Aliases:** Syracuse 3C.  
- **Country of origin / registration:** Italy (operator) and France (country of origin).  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was SICRAL 2 launched?  
A: SICRAL 2 was launched on 26 April 2015 at 20:00:07 UTC aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket (flight VA222).  

### Q: What is the primary purpose of SICRAL 2?  
A: It is a military communications satellite that provides secure, high‑capacity communications for Italy’s defence forces and France’s armed forces from a geostationary position.  

### Q: Who built and operates SICRAL 2?  
A: The satellite was built by Thales Alenia Space on a Spacebus‑4000B2 platform. It is jointly operated by the Italian Ministry of Defence and France’s Direction générale de l’Armement.  

### Q: How long is SICRAL 2 expected to remain operational?  
A: The satellite was designed for a service life of 15 years.  

### Q: What series does SICRAL 2 belong to?  
A: SICRAL 2 is part of the SICRAL series of Italian military communication satellites, succeeding SICRAL 1B and preceding the planned SICRAL 3A.  

## Why It Matters  
SICRAL 2 enhances the strategic communications capabilities of Italy and France, ensuring that military units have reliable, encrypted links for command, control, and intelligence sharing across Europe and beyond. By operating in a geostationary orbit, the satellite offers continuous coverage over a broad footprint, reducing reliance on terrestrial networks that may be vulnerable in conflict zones. Its 15‑year design life and robust power system (≈7 kW from dual solar arrays) provide a long‑term, cost‑effective solution for secure defence communications. As part of the broader SICRAL family, the satellite demonstrates European collaboration in space‑based defence infrastructure, leveraging the Ariane 5 launch vehicle and the expertise of Thales Alenia Space. This contributes to NATO’s interoperability goals and strengthens the resilience of allied communication networks in an increasingly contested space environment.  

## Notable For  
- First Italian‑French joint military communications satellite launched on an Ariane 5 ECA.  
- Utilises the high‑capacity Spacebus‑4000B2 platform with a 7 kW solar array suite.  
- Provides a 15‑year design service life, exceeding many contemporary military satellites.  
- Serves both Italian and French defence ministries, exemplifying cross‑national cooperation.  
- Part of the SICRAL series, continuing the legacy of secure “Syracuse” communication satellites.  

## Body  

### Overview  
SICRAL 2 (also known as Syracuse 3C) is a geostationary military communications satellite. It is classified simultaneously as a communications satellite, a military satellite, and a geostationary satellite. The satellite’s primary role is to deliver secure, high‑throughput communication links for defence operations.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Spacecraft bus:** Spacebus‑4000B2 (Thales Alenia Space).  
- **Mass:** 4 360 kg at launch; 1 910 kg dry mass.  
- **Power:** Two solar arrays generating ~7 kW; equipped with an S400 apogee motor for orbit raising.  
- **Propulsion:** S400 spacecraft propulsion system.  
- **Design life:** 15 years (design service life).  
- **Payload:** Military communication transponders (exact band details not disclosed).  

### Launch Details  
- **Launch vehicle:** Ariane 5 ECA, flight VA222.  
- **Launch site:** ELA‑3, Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, French Guiana.  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch (THOR 7) on 26 April 2015.  

### Operational Role  
Operated jointly by Italy’s Ministry of Defence and France’s Direction générale de l’Armement, SICRAL 2 provides encrypted voice, data, and video communications for NATO and national defence missions. Its geostationary position ensures uninterrupted coverage over the European theater, supporting both tactical and strategic communication needs.  

### Heritage and Successors  
SICRAL 2 follows the earlier SICRAL 1B satellite and is succeeded by the planned SICRAL 3A. The series continues the “Syracuse” line of secure communication satellites, a cornerstone of European defence space capabilities.  

### International Context  
The satellite’s development reflects broader European cooperation in space‑based defence, leveraging French launch capabilities (Ariane 5) and Italian‑French industrial partnership (Thales Alenia Space).  

## Schema Markup  
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{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "SICRAL 2",
  "description": "Italian-French military communications satellite launched in 2015 and operating in geostationary orbit.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q40614",
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  ],
  "additionalType": "MilitarySatellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sicral-2.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.army-technology.com/projects/sicral-2-military-communications-satellite/)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/news/sicral-2-launch-success)
5. [Source](https://www.space-propulsion.com/spacecraft-propulsion/apogee-motors/index.html)