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ITALSAT 2 (24208)
COSPAR: 1996-044A | Alt Name: Italsat 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 8, 1996
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA2
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 44L
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
24208
International Designator
1996-044A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:34:14 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
13.80°
Right Ascension
6.70°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
153.10°
Period
1428.84 min
Mean Motion
1.01 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
ITALSAT 2
Alternative Name
Italsat 2
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
ASI
Country
Italy
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 24208U 96044A 26184.85711006 -.00000236 00000-0 00000-0 0 9990
2 24208 13.8048 6.6974 0024652 153.0993 26.4403 1.00781078109767
Source: Celestrak
Summary
ITALSAT 2 is a communication satellite identified by NORAD CAT ID 24208 and OBJECT ID 1996-044A, utilizing the GeoBus (Italsat Bus) configuration. It was launched on August 8, 1996, from ELA2 at the Guiana Space Centre using an Ariane 44L launch vehicle. The satellite is owned by ASI and manufactured by ALEN with a mission to provide communication services. Its dimensions are length: 3.5 meters, diameter: 2.3 meters, and span: 21 meters. ITALSAT 2 has a dry mass of 1025 kg and was launched with a total mass of 1990 kg. It is powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries and equipped with 9 Ka-band transponders (with the option for +6 more), a Ka-band propagation beacon, and L-band and Ku-band transponders. The satellite's operational life expectancy was set at 6 years for this unit and up to 8 years for another configuration. It has an RCS of 5.0118, with a box shape featuring two panels.
Physical Characteristics
Length
3.5
Diameter
2.3
Span
21
Dry Mass
1025
Launch Mass
1990
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
5.0118
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Italsat F2
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
ALEN
Life Expectancy
6 years (#1), 8 years (#2)
Bus
Italsat
Configuration
GeoBus (Italsat Bus)
Motor
R-4D-11
Equipment
9 (+6) Ka-band transponders (both), Ka-band propagation beacon (#1), L-band, Ku-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
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