# VesselSat-2

> 38047

**Wikidata**: [Q4052665](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4052665)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VesselSat-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vesselsat-2

## Summary
VesselSat-2 is an artificial satellite operated by Luxembourg, launched on January 9, 2012, via a Long March 4B rocket from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. It belongs to the VesselSat class and was assigned COSPAR ID 2012-001B.

## Key Facts
- **SCN**: 38047
- **Country of Operation**: Luxembourg
- **Launch Date**: January 9, 2012
- **Launch Vehicle**: Long March 4B
- **Launch Site**: Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
- **COSPAR ID**: 2012-001B
- **Class**: VesselSat, artificial satellite
- **Aliases**: VESSELSAT 2
- **Wikipedia Languages**: English, Latvian, Portuguese, Russian
- **Sitelink Count**: 4

## FAQs
### Q: What is VesselSat-2?
A: VesselSat-2 is an artificial satellite developed by Luxembourg and launched in January 2012 as part of the VesselSat class, designed for maritime tracking purposes.

### Q: When and where was VesselSat-2 launched?
A: It was launched on January 9, 2012, from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in China using a Long March 4B rocket.

### Q: What is VesselSat-2’s COSPAR ID?
A: Its official COSPAR identifier is 2012-001B, designating its international space registry entry.

## Why It Matters
VesselSat-2 represents Luxembourg’s entry into satellite-based maritime surveillance, enabling real-time tracking of global shipping lanes. As part of the VesselSat program, it supports maritime security by monitoring vessel movements, enhancing navigation safety, and combating illegal activities like piracy and smuggling. This launch positioned Luxembourg as a significant player in the satellite surveillance sector, demonstrating how smaller nations can leverage space technology for global operational impact without requiring large-scale domestic infrastructure.

## Notable For
- **Maritime Focus**: Specifically engineered for vessel tracking, distinguishing it from multi-purpose satellites.
- **Launch Vehicle Association**: Uniquely deployed via China’s Long March 4B rocket, indicating international cooperation in space ventures.
- **VesselSat Pioneer**: First known satellite of the VesselSat class, establishing a dedicated platform for maritime monitoring.
- **Multilingual Documentation**: Recognized across English, Latvian, Portuguese, and Russian-language sources, reflecting global operational relevance.

## Body
### Basic Identification
- **Entity Name**: VesselSat-2  
- **Systematic Identification Number (SCN)**: 38047  
- **Alternate Designations**: VESSELSAT 2  

### Mission and Class
- **Class**: Belongs to VesselSat, a specialized subclass of artificial satellites for maritime tracking.  
- **Primary Purpose**: Designed to monitor and track ships via satellite-based automatic identification system (AIS) technology.  

### Launch Operations
- **Date**: January 9, 2012  
- **Location**: Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China  
- **Carrier Rocket**: Long March 4B (orbital carrier rocket)  
- **Key Event**: Marked as a rocket launch event with timestamp matching the launch date.  

### International Recognition
- **COSPAR ID**: 2012-001B (international space object registry code)  
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Featured in English, Latvian, Portuguese, and Russian editions.  
- **Freebase Identifier**: /m/0hzncpb  
- **Wolfram Entity Code**: Entity["Satellite", "38047"]  

### Technical and Structural Context
- **Origin Country**: Luxembourg  
- **Relationships**: Instantiates VesselSat and artificial satellite classes.  
- **Documentation Reach**: 4 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects, reflecting niche but authoritative coverage.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report