SBS 2 (12855)

COSPAR: 1981-096A | Alt Name: SBS 2

Image
SBS 2 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

September 24, 1981

Launch Pad

LC17A

Launch Vehicle

Delta 3910/PAM

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

12855

International Designator

1981-096A

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:46:03 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

10.24°

Right Ascension

321.37°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

236.64°

Period

1438.40 min

Mean Motion

1.00 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

SBS 2

Alternative Name

SBS 2

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

SBS

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 12855U 81096A   26184.94864771  .00000081  00000-0  00000-0 0  9991
2 12855  10.2360 321.3676 0005329 236.6413 123.8927  1.00111063118776

Source: Celestrak

Summary
SBS 2 is a communication satellite operated by SBS, manufactured by HSES and launched on September 24, 1981, from LC17A at AFETR using a Delta 3910/PAM launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 6.6 meters in length and diameter, with a span of 6.6 meters. It had a dry mass of 424 kg and a launch mass of 521 kg. SBS 2 is equipped with 14 K-band transponders and powered by solar cells (body mounted and drop-skirt) and batteries. Its mission was to provide communication services, and it operated for approximately seven years. The satellite has a cylindrical shape, a RCS value of 7.792, and its bus configuration is HS-376.
Physical Characteristics

Length

6.6

Diameter

2.2

Span

6.6

Dry Mass

424

Launch Mass

521

Shape

Cyl

Radar Cross Section

7.792

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

SBS 2

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

HSES

Life Expectancy

7 years

Bus

HS-376

Configuration

HS-376

Motor

TE-M-700-5

Equipment

14 K-band transponders

Power System

Solar cells (body mounted and drop-skirt), batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
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