Astra 1P
| Names | Astra 1P (2024- ) SES-24 (2024- ) |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | SES S.A. |
| Website | https://www.ses.com/ |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Spacebus |
| Bus | Spacebus NEO-200 |
| Manufacturer | Thales Alenia Space |
| Launch mass | ~5000 kg |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | Summer 2024 |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 Block 5 |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 19.2° East |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 80 Ku-band |
| Coverage area | Europe |
Astra 1P (also known as SES-24) is a forthcoming Astra communications satellite, being built by Thales Alenia Space for owner/operator SES. Scheduled for launch to geostationary orbit by SpaceX in summer 2024, the satellite will be positioned in SES's primary European broadcasting slot at 19.2° East, where it will join and/or replace the Astra 1KR, Astra 1L, Astra 1M, and Astra 1N satellites currently stationed there (of which the oldest two have already exceeded their planned lifespans) and begin service early in 2025.[1][2]
Astra 1P will be the most powerful wide-beam satellite to ever orbit at 19.2°E and should provide service well into the 2040s. It will be the first Astra satellite to be launched by SpaceX.[2]
Satellite description[edit]
Ordered by SES in 2021 from Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Astra 1P is a classic wide-beam broadcasting satellite based on the all-electric Spacebus NEO satellite bus produced at the Cannes Mandelieu Space Center in France. The satellite has 80 physical Ku-band transponders with bandwidth filters, capable of broadcasting up to 500 HDTV channels.[3][2]
Broadcasting reach[edit]
Astra 1P is a third generation satellite at SES's original orbital position of 19.2° East to provide continued free-to-air and pay-TV direct-to-home broadcasting services to all of Europe, with an identical coverage and frequency plan to the existing second generation of satellites at this orbital position that are reaching the end of their operational life. In particular, the satellite will serve private and public broadcasters across Germany, France and Spain.[4][2]
See also[edit]
- Astra 19.2°E orbital position
- SES satellite operator
- Astra satellite family
References[edit]
- ^ "SES Orders Two State-of-the-Art Satellites for its Prime TV Neighbourhood Serving 118 Million Homes" (Press release). 18 November 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d Watch this space: SES set to launch most powerful satellite to orbit at 19.2E SVG Europe. 12 February 2024. Accessed 29 March 2024
- ^ THALES ALENIA SPACE TO BUILD STATE-OF-THE-ART ASTRA 1P AND ASTRA 1Q SATELLITES FOR SES Thales. 18 November 2021. Accessed 29 March 2024
- ^ SES orders two ASTRA satellites Advanced Television. 18 November 2021. Accessed 30 March 2024