Astra 1KR

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Astra 1KR
Major contractors Lockheed Martin
Bus A2100AX
Launch date April 20, 2006
Carrier rocket Atlas V 411
Mission duration 15 years
Mass 4,332 kilograms (9,550 lb)
Orbital elements
Regime Geostationary
Longitude 19.2°E Coordinates: 0°00′N 19°12′E / 0°N 19.2°E / 0; 19.2
Transponders
Capacity 32
Twta output 32 × 140W
Bandwidth 32 × 26 MHz
EIRP 50 dBW

Astra 1KR is one of the Astra geostationary satellites owned by SES. It was launched in April 2006 as a replacement for Astra 1K, which failed to reach orbit on launch in 2002.[1] The launch of Astra 1KR was the first attempted by SES since the Astra 1K failure.

The craft 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 returned to Astra 28.2°E to join 2A/2B/2D to provide additional capacity. However, SES stated that Astra 1L would replace Astra 2C.[2]

The first signals from the craft at 19.2° east were direct replacements for four transponders on the failing Astra 1E.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "ASTRA 1K satellite stabilised" (Press release). SES ASTRA. November 28, 2002. Retrieved January 26, 2012. 
  2. ^ "SES ASTRA PROCURES TWO SATELLITES WITH LOCKHEED MARTIN" (Press release). SES ASTRA. June 17, 2003. Retrieved January 26, 2012. 

[edit] External links