Astra 1KR launches successfully

The launch of the Astra 1KR communications satellite this evening was a complete success, with spacecraft separation occurring at around 23:16 UK time.

The launch was televised on Astra Vision 3 at 19.2E and proved to be well worth watching as the very impressive pictures from the launch were relayed back.

The first phase of the mission concluded with the first shut-down of the Centaur second-stage engine and commencement of the 80-plus minute coast phase. The engine restarted successfully, and the separation of the satellite occurred soon after.

Astra 1KR must now negotiate it’s way into geostationary orbit ready for operational readiness testing.

SES Astra must be very relieved!  More info and pics here