Astra 1B

Astra 1B
NamesSatcom K3
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorSES
COSPAR ID1991-015A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.21139
Websiteses.com
Mission duration12 years (planned)
15 years (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
BusGE-5000 (formerly AS-5000)
ManufacturerGE Astro Space
(formerly RCA Astro Electronics)
Launch mass2,580 kg (5,690 lb)
Power2,136 watts
Start of mission
Launch date2 March 1991, 23:36:00 UTC
RocketAriane 44 LP H10 (V42)
Launch siteCentre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
ContractorArianespace
Entered serviceMay 1991
End of mission
DisposalGraveyard orbit
Deactivated14 July 2006
Last contact2002
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[1]
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude19.2° East
Transponders
Band16 Ku-band
Bandwidth26 MHz
Coverage areaEurope

Astra 1B was the second of the Astra communications satellites launched and operated by SES (Société Européenne des Satellites) to add extra capacity to the satellite television (direct broadcasting) services from 19.2° East, serving Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

  1. ^ "ASTRA 1B". N2YO.com. Retrieved 7 April 2021.