Astra 1KR operational at orbital position 19.2° East

[BGonaSTICK]

Here's the official confirmation.

ASTRA 1KR OPERATIONAL AT ORBITAL POSITION 19.2° EAST.
- Technical tests completed/Further strengthening of ASTRA fleet -
16.06.2006

SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), announces today that its new satellite ASTRA 1KR has been deployed at the company’s prime orbital 19.2° East and is now operational. The satellite was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral on 20 April onboard an Atlas V rocket and has now completed extensive testings of its hardware and broadcasting functionalities.

ASTRA 1KR has 32 active transponders and provides distribution of Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcast services for SES ASTRA customers across Europe, with an extended reach into Eastern Europe. The new satellite allows SES ASTRA to replace its satellites ASTRA 1B and ASTRA 1C at the same orbital position. ASTRA 1B has reached the end of its life after 15 years of service and will be deorbited within the coming weeks.

“We are very pleased that our ASTRA 1KR mission has been completed and that we can welcome a new member in the ASTRA satellite fleet”, says Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of SES ASTRA. “ASTRA 1KR will further strengthen the ASTRA fleet at our prime orbital position 19.2° East and will allow us to maintain the best possible service and quality for our customers across Europe.”

Source: SES Astra

[Analoguesat]

This also confirms what we have known for a long time - poor old 1B is knackered. Shes been out of service for a long while.


Farewell old friend - you served us well for many years

:|

[Analoguesat]

Theres a rather nice diagram of the SES fleet here:

http://media.ses-astra.com/downloads...at_Fleet_L.jpg