🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
Telstar 2
Retired 1965Telstar 2 (NORAD 573, COSPAR 1963-013A) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 7 May 1965, launched on 7 May 1963 on the Telstar 2 mission. It was operated by ATT as part of the TSX programme. The spacecraft was built by BTL on the TSX bus, with a mass of 79 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1963
launched
1965
retired
63
years on orbit
79
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched7 May 1963 · on the Telstar 2 mission
Operational7 May 1965 · entered service
Retired7 May 1965 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID573
COSPAR1963-013A
TypeSatellite
OperatorATT
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerBTL
BusTSX
Mass79 kg
ProgrammeTSX
CategoryCOM
OrbitMEO (MEO)
Altitude972 × 10,804 km
Inclination42.7°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Telstar 2?
Telstar 2 was retired from service around 7 May 1965 after launching in 1963. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built Telstar 2?
Telstar 2 was operated by ATT and built by BTL (US).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.