NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1989-062A
Dual-launched aboard an Ariane 44 LP booster from the Kourou Space Center in French Guiana, TV-SAT 2 was successfully boosted towards geosynchronous orbit 36 hrs, 40 mns later with the first of 3 apogee motor burns. From its position at 19 deg. 1, the West German direct broadcast satellite beamed 5 high power TV channels to 60-cm receiving antennas in Germany and 90-cm antennas in Western Europe. TV-Sat 2 was built by Eurosatellite GmbH for the Deutsche Bundespost. It replaced TV-Sat 1, which was abandoned as a commercial vehicle when its receiving antenna could not be deployed. The satellite was the West German segment of a joint French/West German effort to coordinate broadcast service from a shared geosynchronous station. TV-Sat 2 had an EIRP of 64.5 dBW; transmitting at 11/12 GHz, receiving at 17/18 GHz. It measured 6.3 by 18.9 m with antennas and arrays deployed. Solar arrays provided 3.2 kW of power of its 9-year design life.
Launch Date: 1989-08-08
Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP
Launch Site: Kourou, French Guiana
Mass: 1027 kg
Nominal Power: 3200 W
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office