ATS-2
Applications Technology Satellite-2
Part of the ATS (Applications Technology Satellites) program

ATS-2 was placed into an undesirable orbit due to a launch vehicle failure. Atmospheric torques in this orbit overcame the satellite's gravity gradient stabilization system, and caused a slow tumble. Although the satellite remained functional, the satellite was deactivated after six months due to the limited amount of data that could be received from the spacecraft.

Spacecraft
Aluminum structure, drum solar array providing 125W BOL, 2 6 Ah NiCd batteries, gravity gradient stabilization

Payload
Meteorological experiments, C-band communications package

Country of Origin	United States
Customer/User	NASA, NSF
Manufacturer(s)	Hughes
Size	1.4 m dia. x 1.8 m high cylinder
Orbit	Agena failure left it in 185 x 11177 km transfer orbit.
Design Life	3 years

Launch Facts

Name	Int'l Desig.	Date	Site	Vehicle	Orbit	Mass(kg)
Notes
ATS 2	1967-031A	4/6/67	ESMC	Atlas Agena D	MEO	370
Launch vehicle failure left in useless orbit; communications tests