Mission type | Communications |
---|---|
Operator | VNPT |
COSPAR ID | 2012-023B |
SATCAT no. | 38332 |
Mission duration | 15 years |
Spacecraft properties | |
Bus | A2100A |
Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
Launch mass | 2,969 kilograms (6,546 lb) |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 15 May 2012, 22:13 | UTC
Rocket | Ariane 5ECA VA206 |
Launch site | Kourou ELA-3 |
Contractor | Arianespace |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | Geostationary |
Longitude | 132° east |
Perigee | 35,782 kilometres (22,234 mi) |
Apogee | 35,801 kilometres (22,246 mi) |
Inclination | 0.00 degrees |
Period | 23.93 hours |
Epoch | 27 October 2013, 18:17:43 UTC |
Vinasat-2 is the second Vietnamese satellite to be placed in orbit. It was launched at 5.13am on May 16 at the European Spaceport in Kourou in French Guiana in South America and by 5.48 am it entered orbit. 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.
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 kg, 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.