Astra 5A

Astra 5A
NamesSirius 2
GE-1E
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorNordiska Satelit AB / GE Americom / SES Sirius AB / SES Astra
COSPAR ID1997-071A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.25049
Mission duration15 years (planned)
11 years, 2 months (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSirius 2
Spacecraft typeSpacebus
BusSpacebus 3000B2
ManufacturerAérospatiale
Launch mass2,920 kg (6,440 lb)
Dry mass1,250 kg (2,760 lb)
Power6.5 kW
Start of mission
Launch date12 November 1997, 21:48 UTC
RocketAriane 44L H10-3 (V102)
Launch siteCentre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
ContractorArianespace
Entered serviceJanuary 1998
End of mission
DisposalGraveyard orbit
DeactivatedApril 2009
Last contact16 January 2009
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[1]
RegimeGeostationary orbit
LongitudeAstra 5°E (1997-April 2008)
Astra 31.5°E (April 2008-2009)
Transponders
Band32 (+8) Ku-band
Bandwidth26 transponders at 33 MHz
6 transponders at 36 MHz
Coverage areaSweden, Central Europe, Southern Europe, Middle East

Astra 5A was one of the Astra communications satellites owned and operated by SES at the Astra 31.5°E. Launched in 1997 to the 5° East position by NSAB (Nordiska Satelit AB) (later SES Sirius, and now a non-autonomous part of SES) as Sirius 2, operation of the satellite was transferred to SES in April 2008 and the craft renamed and moved to 31.5° East to open up a new orbital position for the company for the development of markets in Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East.[2]

Astra 5A failed in orbit in 2009.

  1. ^ "SIRIUS 2 (GE-1E) 1997-071A 25049". N2YO.com. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  2. ^ "SES ASTRA STARTS NEW ORBITAL POSITION AT 31.5 DEGREES EAST" (Press release). SES ASTRA. 29 April 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2012.