NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1991-028A
A commercial communications satellite serving the US and Puerto Rico was launched aboard a Delta 2 rocket from Cape Canaveral. The commsat carried 18 C-band and 6 Ku-band transponders for TV news and interactive data transmissions to private networks and small terminals. ASC 2 was the second of 2 satellites built by GE Astro-Space for Contel ASC. A subsequent merger between Contel and GTE Spacenet brought the satellite into the GTE fold; its name was changed to Spacenet 4 after launch. Stationed above 101 deg. w, it joined 3 Spacenet satellites, 4 GStars and ASC 1 to complete the merged GTE/Contel constellation. The existing fleet was covering for 3 Ku-band transponders aboard Spacenet 4 that failed on orbit. Spacenet 4 was box-shaped, measuring 1 by 1.3 by 1.6 m. Solar arrays spanned 14.1 m. It has a 10-year design life.
Launch Date: 1991-04-13
Launch Vehicle: Shuttle
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral, United States
Mass: 1350 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office