TDF 2

TDF 2
NamesTDF-2
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorTélévision de France / France Telecom
COSPAR ID1990-063A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.20705
Mission duration8 years (planned)
9 years (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftTDF 2
Spacecraft typeSpacebus
BusSpacebus 300
ManufacturerEurosatellite (Aérospatiale) and
Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB)
Launch mass2,144 kg (4,727 lb)
Dry mass1,300 kg (2,900 lb)
Dimensions2.4 x 1.64 x 7.1 m
Span: 19.3 m on orbit
Power4.3 kW
Start of mission
Launch date24 July 1990, 22:25:00 UTC
RocketAriane 44L H10 (V37)
Launch siteCentre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, ELA-2
ContractorArianespace
Entered serviceSeptember 1990
End of mission
DisposalGraveyard orbit
DeactivatedMay 1999
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[1]
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude19.2° West (1990-1997)
36° East (1997-1999)
Transponders
Band5 Ku-Band[1]
Bandwidth27 MHz
Coverage areaEurope, France
← TDF 1

TDF 2 or TDF-2 was a French communications satellite which was to have been operated by Télévision de France (France Télécom). It was intended to be used to provide television broadcast services to Europe, however it failed before entering service. It was constructed by Aérospatiale, based on the Spacebus 300 satellite bus, and carried five Ku-band transponders. At launch it had a mass of 2,144 kg (4,727 lb), and an expected operational lifespan of eight years.[2]

Launch

TDF 2 was launched by Arianespace using an Ariane 44L H10 launch vehicle flying from ELA-2 at Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, French Guiana. The launch took place at 22:25:00 UTC on 24 July 1990.[3] It was a Spacebus 300 satellite bus.[2]

Mission

TDF 2 was placed into a geostationary orbit at a longitude of 19.2° West. In August 1997, at 36° East, the bird joined the Eutelsat fleet. TDF 2 is expected to remain in service at least until early 1999.[1][4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "TDF 2". TSE. 28 February 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b Krebs, Gunter (21 July 2019). "TDF 1, 2". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  3. ^ McDowell, Jonathan (14 March 2021). "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  4. ^ Wade, Mark. "TDF". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2021.


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