Astra 1A

Luxembourg

International Sat. n°:

Luxembourg spacecraft n°: 1

Launch data:

Designation	19688 / 88109B
Launch date	11 Dec 1988
Launch site	Ko, ELA-2
Launch vehicle	Ariane-44LP V27
Mission	Direct TV
Geostationary orbit:
Location	19.2°E

TV programs started on 5 Feb 1989. In 1994 a few transponders were taken over by Astra 1C because of technical problems.

Astra 1A will probably be used for satellite news gathering duties from 1998 onwards (after Astra 1H is in position), being placed in an inclined orbit, and moved to either 24.3, 26, or 28.2 degrees East. ("What Satellite TV")

Specifications:

Prime contractor	GE Astro Space
Customer	Société Européene de Satellites (Lux.)
Platform	GE-4000
Mass at launch	1800 kg
Payload mass	230 kg: transponders: 184 kg, antennas: 46 kg
Dimension	2.9 x 1.6 x 1 m
Solar array	19.3 m span (26 mtr²)
Stabilization	3-axis
DC power	BOL: equinox: 2236 W, solstice: 2057 W
Payload power	1674.4 W
Design lifetime	10 years
Beacon	11.20300 GHz vertical 11.44650 GHz horizontal

Ku-band (11.2-11.45 GHz):

Main transponders	16
Backup transponders	6
Power	45 W
Bandwidth	26 MHz
Coverage	Europe
EIRP max	50 dBW
Polarization	linear H/V
Frequencies	downlink: band A uplink: 14.25-14.5 GHz

Ref.: #14, #15, #100a - update:30.12.03

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