Skynet 2A

Military communications satellite. Skynet 2A was launched on January 19, 1974 aboard a Delta 2313 from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: reentered (orbital decay) (Jan 25, 1974).

COSPAR 1974-002ANORAD 7096United Kingdom

Identity

Name in GCAT: Skynet IIA
Common name: Skynet 2A
International designator: 1974-002A
NORAD catalog number: 7096
GCAT identifier: S07096

Mission

Mission type: Communications
Use: Defense
Program: Skynet
Owner: UK MoD
Country: United Kingdom
Builder: Marconi
Platform (bus): Skynet 2

Launch

Date: January 19, 1974 · 01:38 UTC
Launch record: 1974-002Failure · 0.4
Rocket: Delta 2313
Spaceport: Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC17B

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): LEO/I
Perigee: 124 km
Apogee: 2,662 km
Inclination: 37.65°
Status: Reentered (orbital decay)
Status date: January 25, 1974
Last known active: Jan 25, 1974
End of operations: Jan 25, 1974

Size

Mass: 217 kg
Dry mass: 200 kg
Total mass with attached objects: 435 kg
Length: 2.1 m
Diameter: 1.90 m
Span: 2.1 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q16943250 (CC0).