🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
FR-2
Retired 1981FR-2 (NORAD 5435, COSPAR 1971-071A) is a retired F satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 1981, launched on 16 Aug 1971 on the Eole mission. It was operated by CNES as part of the CNES US programme. The spacecraft was built by AESPC on the FR-2 bus, with a mass of 84 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1971
launched
1981
retired
55
years on orbit
84
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched16 Aug 1971 · on the Eole mission
Operational1 Jan 1981 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1981 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID5435
COSPAR1971-071A
TypeSatellite
OperatorCNES
Country / StateF
ManufacturerAESPC
BusFR-2
Mass84 kg
ProgrammeCNES US
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude676 × 905 km
Inclination50.1°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to FR-2?
FR-2 was retired from service around 1 Jan 1981 after launching in 1971. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built FR-2?
FR-2 was operated by CNES and built by AESPC (F).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.