Vinasat-2

Vinasat-2 (stylized all uppercase) is the second Vietnamese satellite to be placed in orbit. It was launched at 22:13 UTC on May 15, 2012 (5:13 am on May 16 in the Vietnam time zone) at the European Spaceport in Kourou in French Guiana in South America and entered orbit 35 minutes later. VINASAT is the national satellite program of Vietnam. The project aims to bring independence in satellite communications for Vietnam, besides other benefits such as enhancing national security, opening new economic opportunities, etc.

VINASAT-2
A rendering of VINASAT-2
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorVNPT
COSPAR ID2012-023B
SATCAT no.38332
Mission duration15 years
Spacecraft properties
BusA2100A[1]
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Launch mass2,969 kilograms (6,546 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date15 May 2012, 22:13 (2012-05-15UTC22:13Z) UTC
RocketAriane 5ECA VA206[2]
Launch siteKourou ELA-3
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeostationary
Longitude132° east
Perigee altitude35,782 kilometres (22,234 mi)
Apogee altitude35,801 kilometres (22,246 mi)
Inclination0.00 degrees
Period23.93 hours
Epoch27 October 2013, 18:17:43 UTC[3]
 

Vietnam hopes for some economic benefits from the telecommunications links that the satellite will provide. It will provide communication for fishermen at sea, deliver weather forecasts and ensure defence security. The satellite costs about US$280 million and weighing 3,000 kilograms (6,600 lb), was constructed by US-based Lockheed Martin. It will be able to provide capacity equal to 13,000 channels of telephone/internet/data communications or 150 Television channels; greater number of sensor responses; and higher bandwidth capacity.

The Lockheed Martin A2100 satellite has 12 Ku band transponders and 8 C band transponders.

See also

References
  1. Krebs. "VINASAT 2". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  2. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  3. "VINASAT 2 Satellite details 2012-023B NORAD 38332". N2YO. 27 October 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  • Vinasat-2 telecom satellite launched successfully.
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