EUTELSAT 48A (24665)

COSPAR: 1996-067A | Alt Name: Hot Bird 2

Image
EUTELSAT 48A Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

November 21, 1996

Launch Pad

LC36B

Launch Vehicle

Atlas IIA

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

24665

International Designator

1996-067A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:05:14 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

11.99°

Right Ascension

35.63°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

129.21°

Period

1463.71 min

Mean Motion

0.98 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

EUTELSAT 48A

Alternative Name

Hot Bird 2

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

EUTEL

Country

EUTELSAT

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 24665U 96067A   26185.12864456  .00000008  00000-0  00000-0 0  9997
2 24665  11.9875  35.6301 0005854 129.2112  50.8948  0.98380150108225

Source: Celestrak

Summary
EUTELSAT 48A, also known as Hot Bird 2, is a communication satellite based on the Eurostar-2000+ configuration launched by EUTEL on November 21, 1996, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 36B using an Atlas IIA launch vehicle. The satellite has dimensions of 4 meters in length and a diameter of 2.5 meters, with a span of 27.9 meters when fully deployed. It carries 20 Ku-band transponders for direct broadcasting services and was manufactured by MMST. EUTELSAT 48A has a dry mass of 1150 kg and a launch mass of 2910 kg, powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. Its shape is described as box-shaped with two panels, and it uses R-4D-11-300 motors for its propulsion system.
Physical Characteristics

Length

4

Diameter

2.5

Span

27.9

Dry Mass

1150

Launch Mass

2910

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

0.003

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Eutelsat HB2

Purpose

Communication (Direct Broadcasting)

Mission

Communication (Direct Broadcasting)

Manufacturer

MMST

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Eurostar 2000+

Configuration

Eurostar-2000+

Motor

R-4D-11-300

Equipment

20 Ku-band transponders

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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