# VRSS-2

> Venezuelan satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q41791665](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q41791665)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VRSS-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vrss-2

## Summary  
VRSS‑2 is Venezuela’s second Earth‑observation satellite, launched on 9 October 2017 aboard a Chinese Long March 2D rocket. It operates in low‑Earth orbit to collect imagery of the planet for scientific, environmental, and governmental use.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 9 October 2017 (UTC)【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Chinese Long March 2D carrier rocket【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2017‑060A, uniquely identifying the mission【source】  
- **Spacecraft number (SCN):** 42954 in the Wolfram Language satellite database【source】  
- **Mission type:** Earth‑observation satellite, designed to image the Earth's surface【source】  
- **Country of ownership:** Venezuela【source】  
- **Wikipedia entry:** “VRSS‑2” (available in German, English, Spanish, Portuguese)【source】  
- **Image:** Official rendering can be found at the Wikimedia Commons link provided【source】

## FAQs  

### Q: What is the purpose of VRSS‑2?  
A: VRSS‑2 is an Earth‑observation satellite that captures optical imagery of the planet, supporting environmental monitoring, resource management, and national security tasks for Venezuela.

### Q: When and how was VRSS‑2 launched?  
A: The satellite was launched on 9 October 2017 using a Chinese Long March 2D launch vehicle from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

### Q: Which country operates VRSS‑2?  
A: VRSS‑2 is owned and operated by the government of Venezuela.

### Q: What class of satellite does VRSS‑2 belong to?  
A: It is classified as an Earth‑observation satellite, a type of artificial satellite specifically built to observe Earth from orbit.

### Q: Where can I find more information about VRSS‑2?  
A: Additional details are available on its Wikipedia page (titles in English, German, Spanish, and Portuguese) and through the Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Satellite", "42954"]`.

## Why It Matters  
VRSS‑2 represents a strategic step for Venezuela in developing autonomous remote‑sensing capabilities. By operating its own Earth‑observation platform, the nation reduces reliance on foreign satellite data, enhancing national security, disaster response, and environmental stewardship. The imagery supplied by VRSS‑2 can aid in tracking deforestation, monitoring agricultural productivity, and managing natural resources—critical concerns for a country with extensive tropical ecosystems. Moreover, the collaboration with China’s Long March 2D launch system underscores growing international partnerships in space technology, reflecting broader geopolitical shifts in the global satellite market. As a relatively recent addition to the constellation of low‑Earth‑orbit observation assets, VRSS‑2 contributes to the expanding pool of data that scientists, policymakers, and commercial users can leverage for climate research, urban planning, and humanitarian assistance.

## Notable For  
- First Venezuelan Earth‑observation satellite launched on a Chinese Long March 2D rocket.  
- Part of a bilateral space cooperation between Venezuela and China, highlighting cross‑national launch services.  
- Assigned the unique Spacecraft Number 42954 in Wolfram’s satellite registry, facilitating cross‑platform data integration.  
- Operates under the COSPAR designation 2017‑060A, ensuring global tracking and cataloguing.  
- Provides Venezuela with indigenous remote‑sensing data, reducing dependence on external providers.

## Body  

### Mission Overview  
VRSS‑2 (Venezuelan Remote Sensing Satellite‑2) is an Earth‑observation platform built to acquire high‑resolution optical images of the Earth's surface. The satellite supports a range of applications, including environmental monitoring, natural resource management, and national security.

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 9 October 2017.  
- **Vehicle:** Long March 2D, a two‑stage Chinese orbital carrier rocket.  
- **Launch Site:** Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China.  
- **Significant Event:** The rocket launch is recorded as a notable event on the launch date.

### Technical Identifiers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2017‑060A, the international designator used for tracking.  
- **Spacecraft Number (SCN):** 42954, as listed in the Wolfram Language satellite database.  
- **Wikidata Description:** “Venezuelan satellite.”  

### Ownership and Operation  
- **Country:** Venezuela, which holds ownership and operational responsibility.  
- **Mission Class:** Classified under “Earth observation satellite,” indicating its primary function to observe and image Earth.

### Data Access and References  
- **Wikipedia:** The article “VRSS‑2” is available in four languages (de, en, es, pt) and provides a concise public overview.  
- **Image Resource:** A representative image of the satellite is hosted on Wikimedia Commons.  
- **External Identifiers:** Google Knowledge Graph ID `/g/11f1595xm5` and Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Satellite", "42954"]` enable cross‑platform referencing.

### Context within Satellite Programs  
VRSS‑2 follows the earlier Venezuelan remote‑sensing satellite VRSS‑1, extending the nation’s capacity to maintain a continuous flow of Earth‑observation data. Its launch underscores Venezuela’s commitment to building indigenous space capabilities while leveraging international launch services.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report