| Names | Astra 5B (2014-2023) Astra 3C (2023-) |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | SES S.A. |
| COSPAR ID | 2014-011B |
| SATCAT no. | 39617 |
| Website | https://www.ses.com/ |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) 10 years, 8 months, 4 days (elapsed) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Eurostar |
| Bus | Eurostar-3000 |
| Manufacturer | Astrium (now Airbus Defence and Space) |
| Launch mass | 5,724 kg (12,619 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 22 March 2014, 22:04 UTC |
| Rocket | Ariane 5 ECA (VA216) |
| Launch site | Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Entered service | 2 June 2014 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 31.5° East (2014-2023) 23.5° East (2023-) |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 43 transponders: 40 Ku-band 3 Ka-band |
| Coverage area | Europe |
Astra 5B (now called Astra 3C) is one of the Astra communications satellites owned and operated by SES. It was launched as SES' 56th satellite in March 2014, to the newest of the Astra orbital positions for direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television, at 31.5° East[1] for DTH, DTT and cable use in Eastern Europe,.[2]
The satellite replaced the Astra 1G satellite at 31.5° East, which was itself filling in at that position after the loss of the Astra 5A satellite (originally called Sirius 2) in 2009,[3] Astra 2C was first used at 31.5° East to replace Astra 5A,[4] with Astra 1G positioned there in 2010.[5]
Astra 5B was the third satellite to be launched of four ordered together by SES from Astrium (now Airbus Defence and Space) in 2009.[6] The similar Astra 2E and Astra 2F were launched to Astra 28.2°E before Astra 5B in 2013 and 2012, respectively, and the fourth, Astra 2G was launched later, in 2014.[7]
- ^ "SES: ASTRA 5B SATELLITE LAUNCH SUCCESS ON ARIANE 5" (Press release). SES ASTRA. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- ^ "Astra 5B Factsheet" (PDF). SES. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
- ^ "SES ASTRA Announces End Of ASTRA 5A Spacecraft Mission" (Press release). SES ASTRA. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ "SES To Move ASTRA 2C Satellite To 31.5 Degrees East To Support Development Of New Orbital Position" (Press release). SES Astra. 10 March 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ "ASTRA 3B SATELLITE SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED" (Press release). SES Astra. 22 May 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ SES Selects Astrium To Build Four Direct Broadcast Satellites SpaceNews 27 November 2009 Accessed 2 October 2019
- ^ "ASTRA 2G SATELLITE ROARS INTO ORBIT" (Press release). SES. 28 November 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.