| TDF 2 | |
| Names List: | TDF-2 |
| Mission Type: | Communications |
| Operator: | Télévision de France / France Telecom |
| Cospar Id: | 1990-063A |
| Satcat: | 20705 |
| Mission Duration: | 8 years (planned) 9 years (achieved) |
| Spacecraft: | TDF 2 |
| Spacecraft Type: | Spacebus |
| Spacecraft Bus: | Spacebus 300 |
| Manufacturer: | Eurosatellite (Aérospatiale) and Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) |
| Dimensions: | 2.4 x 1.64 x 7.1 m Span: 19.3 m on orbit |
| Power: | 4.3 kW |
| Launch Date: | 24 July 1990, 22:25:00 UTC |
| Launch Rocket: | Ariane 44L H10 (V37) |
| Launch Site: | Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, ELA-2 |
| Launch Contractor: | Arianespace |
| Entered Service: | September 1990 |
| Disposal Type: | Graveyard orbit |
| Deactivated: | May 1999 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric orbit |
| Orbit Regime: | Geostationary orbit |
| Orbit Longitude: | 19.2° West (1990-1997) 36° East (1997-1999) |
| Apsis: | gee |
| Trans Band: | 5 Ku-Band |
| Trans Bandwidth: | 27 MHz |
| Trans Coverage: | Europe, France |
| Programme: | TDF constellation |
| Previous Mission: | 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, and an expected operational lifespan of eight years.[1]
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.[2] It was a Spacebus 300 satellite bus.[1]
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.[3] [4]