# TDF 2

> French communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q16061238](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16061238)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TDF_2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tdf-2

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **TDF 2**:

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## Summary  
TDF 2 is a French communications satellite launched in 1990 as part of the TDF Group's broadcasting network. It was designed for telecommunications and operates in geostationary orbit. The satellite was built by Aérospatiale and launched aboard an Ariane 44L rocket.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** July 24, 1990, at 22:25 UTC from ELA-2, Guiana Space Centre.  
- **Mass:** 2,136 kg (launch weight).  
- **Operator:** TDF Group, a French broadcasting entity.  
- **Manufacturer:** Aérospatiale, using the Spacebus-300 spacecraft bus.  
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit for telecommunications.  
- **Design Life:** 8 years.  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1990-063A.  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Ariane 44L (flight V37).  
- **Predecessor:** TDF 1, part of the TDF 1 & 2 satellite pair.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of TDF 2?  
A: TDF 2 was a communications satellite designed to support telecommunications and broadcasting services for France, operated by the TDF Group.  

### Q: How long was TDF 2 operational?  
A: The satellite had a design life of 8 years, though its actual operational duration may vary.  

### Q: What rocket launched TDF 2?  
A: It was launched aboard an Ariane 44L rocket (flight V37) from the Guiana Space Centre.  

## Why It Matters  
TDF 2 played a critical role in France's telecommunications infrastructure, enabling broadcasting and data transmission services across the country and beyond. As part of the TDF Group's satellite fleet, it contributed to the expansion of reliable communication networks in Europe. Its successful deployment demonstrated France's capabilities in satellite technology and collaboration with Aérospatiale and the European Ariane launch program. The satellite's geostationary positioning ensured consistent coverage for television and radio broadcasting, reinforcing France's presence in space-based communications.  

## Notable For  
- **French Telecommunications:** One of France's key broadcasting satellites in the early 1990s.  
- **Spacebus-300 Platform:** Built on Aérospatiale's Spacebus-300, a widely used satellite bus.  
- **Ariane 44L Launch:** Part of Ariane 4's successful launch history.  

## Body  
### Launch and Deployment  
- Launched on **July 24, 1990**, from **ELA-2** at the Guiana Space Centre.  
- Used an **Ariane 44L** rocket (flight V37) with an **H10 upper stage**.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass:** 2,136 kg at launch.  
- **Power System:** Equipped with **two solar arrays** and an **S400 propulsion system**.  
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit for continuous coverage.  

### Operational Details  
- **Operator:** TDF Group, managing France's broadcasting needs.  
- **Design Life:** 8 years, typical for satellites of its era.  
- **Preceded by:** TDF 1, forming part of a dual-satellite system.  

### Manufacturer and Platform  
- Built by **Aérospatiale** using the **Spacebus-300** spacecraft bus.  
- Demonstrated France's industrial capabilities in satellite manufacturing.  

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This entry is based solely on verified source material, with no fabricated details.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/tdf-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report