ILS to launch Astra satellite on Atlas V

[BGonaSTICK]

Published: April 12, 2006

ASTRA 1KR will join the seven ASTRA satellites currently co-located at the orbital position 19.2 degrees East. It will operate as a replacement satellite for existing capacity at this position allowing the redeployment of resources within SES ASTRA's fleet. The ASTRA 1KR satellite is an A2100 model built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems and scheduled to launch on an Atlas V-411 vehicle.

Payload:

ASTRA 1KR direct broadcast satellite

Separated mass:

Approx. 4,332 kg (9,550 lbs)

Launch Vehicle:

Atlas V, 411 configuration, designated AV-008

* 4-meter diameter (13.75 ft) payload fairing, 12.9 m/42.3 ft long
* 1 strap-on solid rocket booster, built by Aerojet, Sacramento, Calif.
* Single-engine Lockheed Martin Centaur upper stage
* RD-180 main engine, from Pratt & Whitney/Energomash
* Weight at liftoff: 386,818 kg (852,788 lbs) with payload
* Height: 58 m (191 ft)

Launch Date

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Launch Window:

2 hours, 50 minutes
4:27-7:17 p.m. EDT
20:27-23:17 GMT

Launch Site:

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Complex 41

End User:

SES ASTRA, Luxembourg

Satellite Manufacturer:

Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems,Newtown, Pa.

Launch Vehicle Manufacturer:

Atlas vehicle and Centaur upper stage built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver, Colo.; San Diego, Calif.; and Harlingen, Texas.

Launch Services Provider:

International Launch Services, McLean, Va.

Satellite Use:

ASTRA 1KR, with its pan-European footprint, will provide DTH services for the whole of Europe. ASTRA 1KR is also planned to transmit HDTV channels across Europe. It ensures continuity of the unique inter-satellite back-up and provides replacement capacity for ASTRA 1B and ASTRA 1C.

Satellite Statistics:

* A2100AX model
* 17th A2100 satellite launched by ILS
* All Ku-band
* 32 active transponders first five years, 28 thereafter
* Operating position 19.2 degrees East longitude
* 15 years targeted lifetime

Mission Profile:

Atlas V will place ASTRA 1KR into orbit with a geosynchronous transfer orbit mission design, using a subsynchronous trajectory with two Centaur burn phases. The satellite's own attitude and orbital control system will perform a series of burns to lower apogee and raise perigee to geosynchronous altitude, circularize orbit and reduce inclination.

Spacecraft Separation:

About 1 hour 48 minutes after liftoff

Orbital Parameters: Separation
Apogee Altitude: 19,323 nm (35,786 km)
Perigee Altitude: 3,354 nm (6,212 km)
Inclination: 23.97 deg

ILS Mission Statistics:

* 8th flight of Atlas V
* 2nd Atlas flight in 2006
* 3rd ILS mission this year
* Atlas family has perfect record in 78 consecutive flights