# THOR 1

> former television satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q2428813](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2428813)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thor-1

## Summary
THOR 1 (originally known as Marco Polo 2 or BSB-R2) was a communications satellite designed for television broadcasting. Launched on August 18, 1990, it was deployed using a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral. The satellite is classified as a former television satellite and is identified by the COSPAR ID 1990-074A.

## Key Facts
- **Primary Identity:** Communications satellite (former television satellite).
- **Launch Date:** August 18, 1990.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Delta II (retired expendable launch system).
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1990-074A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 20762.
- **Alternate Names:** BSB-R2, British Sat Broadcast R2, Marco Polo 2, Marcopolo 2.
- **Classification:** Instance of a communications satellite.

## FAQs
### Q: When was THOR 1 launched?
A: THOR 1 was launched on August 18, 1990.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch THOR 1?
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Delta II rocket, a retired expendable launch system.

### Q: What were the other names for THOR 1?
A: The satellite operated under several aliases, including Marco Polo 2, Marcopolo 2, BSB-R2, and British Sat Broadcast R2.

### Q: Where did the launch of THOR 1 take place?
A: The launch took place at Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.

## Why It Matters
THOR 1 represents a specific era of commercial telecommunications infrastructure launched in the early 1990s. As a "former television satellite," its history is tied to the evolution of direct broadcast services, evidenced by its alternate designation "British Sat Broadcast R2" (BSB-R2). This suggests its original role in supporting British satellite broadcasting initiatives before the consolidation of the satellite market.

The entry serves as a precise record of space infrastructure, tracking the lifecycle of an artificial satellite from its launch aboard a Delta II rocket to its current status. Preserving data such as its COSPAR ID (1990-074A) and Satellite Catalog Number (20762) is essential for historical tracking of orbital objects and understanding the deployment patterns of communications technology during this period.

## Notable For
- **Multiple Identities:** Possessed distinct aliases linking it to British broadcasting (BSB-R2) and the exploratory name Marco Polo 2.
- **Launch Configuration:** Utilized the Delta II launch system, a prominent rocket family for satellite deployment.
- **Orbital Tracking:** Maintains distinct identifiers in major space catalogs (COSPAR and SCN).
- **Specific Launch Complex:** Launched from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17, a historically significant launch site.

## Body
### Identity and Classification
THOR 1 is formally classified as a communications satellite and is described as a former television satellite. It is documented in multiple languages on Wikipedia, including German (de), Portuguese (pt), and Swedish (sv). The entity has a Google Knowledge Graph ID of `/g/11dyhrx8v`.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite's significant event was its rocket launch on August 18, 1990.
*   **Vehicle:** It was deployed using a Delta II rocket.
*   **Location:** The launch originated from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.
*   **Event Details:** The launch is recorded as a significant event with the location and time stamped in the satellite's records.

### Technical and Catalog Data
THOR 1 is tracked using standard space identification systems.
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1990-074A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** 20762
*   **Aliases:** The satellite is also referred to as BSB-R2, British Sat Broadcast R2, Marco Polo 2, and Marcopolo 2.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report