Astra 1N ready for launch

Satellite operator SES has announced that the Astra 1N satellite, designed and manufactured by Astrium, has arrived at the European Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, in preparation for its launch by an Ariane 5 vehicle early July 2011.


Astra 1N will deliver DTH services with pan-European coverage, and is planned to mainly serve the German, French and Spanish markets. The satellite will first provide interim capacity at 28.2° East, and will subsequently be moved to 19.2° East, its final orbital position.


The satellite is equipped with 62 transponders in the Ku- frequency band and has a 15-year design life.


Astrium is currently in the process of designing and manufacturing five more satellites for SES based on its Eurostar E3000 platform – Astra 2E, Astra 2F, Astra 2G and Astra 5B are all scheduled for launch between 2012 and 2014.