Astra 1A
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| General information | |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | December 11, 1988 |
| Launch Mass | 1,780 kg |
| Orbit Mass | |
| Manufacturer | GE Astro Electronics |
| Model | GE 4000 |
| Launcher / Flight Number |
Ariane 4 / V27 |
| Lifetime | 12 year |
| Transponder Information | |
| Transponder Capacity | 16 Ku band |
| TWTA output power | 45 W |
| Bandwidth | 26 MHz |
| EIRP | 50 dBW |
| Sundries | |
| Expendable Energy | 1675 W |
| Location | |
| Former location | 19.2°E |
| Current location | 5.2°E inclined orbit |
| List of broadcast satellites | |
Astra 1A was the first satellite launched and operated by Société Européenne des Satellites (SES), now SES Astra. During its early days, it was often referred to as the Astra Satellite, as SES only operated one satellite originally.
The satellite provided television coverage to Western Europe, among the services carried was the four channel Sky Television service to the United Kingdom and Ireland. Broadcasts began in 1989 and now as BSkyB it is one of the most successful pay television services.
Astra 1A began television broadcasts on February 5, 1989. Until 1998 all of Astra's satellites were co-located with 1A at 19.2°E, leading that position to be known mostly as Astra 1 - although Astra 2C also operates there. In December 2004 Astra 1A was moved into a "junk orbit" after some time at 5.2°E providing data services.
