Astra 1KR

Astra 1KR
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorSES Astra / SES S.A.
COSPAR ID2006-012A
SATCAT no.29055
Websitehttps://www.ses.com/
Mission duration15 years (planned)
17 years, 11 months, 3 days (elapsed)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeLockheed Martin A2100
BusA2100AXS
ManufacturerLockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems
Launch mass4,332 kg (9,550 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date20 April 2006, 20:27:00 UTC
RocketAtlas V 411 (s/n AV-008)
Launch siteCape Canaveral, SLC-41
Entered serviceJune 2006
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[1]
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude19.2° East
Transponders
Band32 Ku-band
Bandwidth26 MHz
Coverage areaEurope
 

Astra 1KR is one of the Astra geostationary satellites owned and operated by SES, was purchased in June 2003. It was launched on 20 April 2006, 20:27:00 UTC as a replacement for Astra 1K, which failed to reach orbit on launch in November 2002.[2] The launch of Astra 1KR was the first attempted by SES since the Astra 1K failure.

The satellite launched to 3.4° East for testing, before moving to Astra 19.2°E, where it replaced Astra 1B, which was effectively decommissioned, and Astra 1C, which was then elderly and running beneath full capacity. It was expected to also replace Astra 2C, which was under-utilised, and to allow that satellite to return to Astra 28.2°E to join Astra 2A / 2B / 2D to provide additional capacity. However, SES stated that Astra 1L would replace Astra 2C.[3]

The first signals from the satellite at 19.2° East were direct replacements for four transponders on Astra 1B which had reached end-of-life and Astra 1C which was moved to 4.6° East.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "ASTRA 1KR". N2YO.com. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  2. ^ "ASTRA 1K satellite stabilised". SES Astra. 28 November 2002. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  3. ^ "SES ASTRA PROCURES TWO SATELLITES WITH LOCKHEED MARTIN" (Press release). SES Astra. 17 June 2003. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  4. ^ "ASTRA 1KR goes operational". Spaceflight Now. 18 June 2006. Retrieved 30 December 2022.

External links

  • Astra 1KR page on SES
  • Official SES trade/industry site
  • SES fleet information and map
  • Astra 1KR Ku-band Europe Beam footprint(s) at SatBeams


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