AsiaSat 2 was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on April 7, 1995. The launch vehicle used was a Proton-K rocket.
The AsiaSat 2 satellite weighed approximately 1,900 kilograms at launch. It was placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit.
AsiaSat 2 was designed to provide telecommunications services to Asia and the Pacific region. It was equipped with 24 transponders, offering a wide range of communication services.
The satellite's expected lifespan was 15 years, with a planned operational period from 1995 to 2010.
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Launch Details
The launch of AsiaSat 2 was a significant event, and here are the details.
The launch was contracted to the China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) and used a Long March 2E launch vehicle with a FG-46 upper stage. This was the maiden flight of the FG-46.
The launch was conducted from Xichang Launch Area 2 (LA-2) at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre at 11:30:05 UTC on 28 November 1995. It had previously been delayed twice, first from December 1994 due to the failure of Telstar 402, and subsequently while the Apstar 2 launch failure was investigated.
AsiaSat 2 had to pay a 27% premium for satellite insurance instead of the usual 17–20% due to the Long March 2E launch vehicle's history of failures. The satellite was delivered to the correct orbit, but the launch was a partial failure.
Here's a brief timeline of the launch:
- Launch vehicle: Long March 2E with FG-46 upper stage
- Launch site: Xichang Launch Area 2 (LA-2)
- Launch date and time: 28 November 1995, 11:30:05 UTC
- Launch status: Partial failure
Mission Objectives
AsiaSat 2 was launched on April 7, 1995, to provide television broadcasting services to the Asia-Pacific region. It was a major milestone in the history of satellite communications.
The primary objective of AsiaSat 2 was to offer a platform for direct-to-home (DTH) television broadcasting, enabling households to receive high-quality television signals without the need for traditional terrestrial broadcasting infrastructure.
AsiaSat 2 was equipped with 24 transponders, which provided a significant increase in capacity compared to its predecessor, AsiaSat 1. This allowed for more channels to be broadcast, catering to a wider audience.
AsiaSat 2 was designed to operate in geostationary orbit, which enabled it to maintain a fixed position over the equator, providing a stable and reliable service to its users.
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