X Report 16 May 2025
Today's brief highlights the launch of United Airlines' Starlink Wi-Fi on passenger flights, updates on Starship development, and SpaceX's push to position Starlink as a GPS alternative in recent FCC discussions.
DFS 2 (20706)
COSPAR: 1990-063B | Alt Name: Kopernikus 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
July 24, 1990
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA2
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 44L
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
20706
International Designator
1990-063B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:33:50 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
14.58°
Right Ascension
3.51°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
274.05°
Period
1446.50 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
DFS 2
Alternative Name
Kopernikus 2
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
DBP
Country
Germany
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 20706U 90063B 26185.19017010 .00000020 00000-0 00000-0 0 9996
2 20706 14.5785 3.5130 0005737 274.0515 271.2334 0.99550870123095
Source: Celestrak
Summary
DFS 2, also known as Kopernikus 2, is a communication satellite launched on July 24, 1990, from ELA2 at the Guiana Space Center using an Ariane 44L launch vehicle. It has a bus configuration of Spacebus 100 and was manufactured by DASAO for DBP (Deutsche Bahn Post). The satellite measures 3.4 meters in length, 1.7 meters in diameter, and spans 15.4 meters with its deployed solar arrays. Its dry mass is 645 kilograms, while its launch mass was 1419 kilograms. DFS 2 is equipped with 10 (+5) Ku-band transponders and one Ka-band transponder for communication purposes. It has a designed lifetime of 10 years and is powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's shape consists of a box structure with two panels, and it has an RCS (Reaction Control System) value of 2.5118.
Physical Characteristics
Length
3.4
Diameter
1.7
Span
15.4
Dry Mass
645
Launch Mass
1419
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
2.5118
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
DFS 2
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
DASAO
Life Expectancy
10 years
Bus
Spacebus 100
Configuration
GESAT-Bus
Motor
S400
Equipment
10 (+5) Ku-band transponders, 1 Ka-band transponder
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Space Brief 1 Nov 2024
Today's update highlights Boeing's challenges with the Starliner, Europe's IRIS2 constellation advancement, China's CAS Space's global ambitions, and vivid new telescope images of cosmic events.
X Report 19 Feb 2025
SpaceX achieves a new milestone with a Falcon 9 landing near The Bahamas, closely following Rocket Lab's successful satellite launch.
ESA-China SMILE Mission Reaches Orbit After 10-Year Push | KeepTrack Space Brief
ESA-China SMILE spacecraft successfully launched from Kourou to image Earth's magnetosphere. First continuous global views of solar wind interaction now in orbit.
Space Brief 2 Dec 2025
Today's brief covers China's classified Shijian-28 satellite launch, AI-designed spacecraft records, and upcoming global launch activities.
Space Brief 22 Aug 2024
ESA's Cluster mission coming to an end, Europe's contributions to Artemis III, JUICE's groundbreaking maneuvers, Yaogan EO satellites, and amateur astronomers discovering exoplanets.
Space Brief 6 Dec 2025
Discover the latest developments in hypersonic missile production, defense innovation strategies, and satellite infrastructure resilience impacting military operations.
X Report 24 Nov 2024
SpaceX cancels Texas land-swap deal amid growing Starship presence and launches 20 Starlink satellites using the 400th Falcon 9 rocket.