ASTRA 1A
ASTRA 1A was the first satellite in the ASTRA fleet. On 10 December 2004 it ended its mission and was sent to its graveyard orbit 300 0 above geostationary orbit. The fuel, battery and electrical system were all successfully de-activated.
Satellite Facts
Satellite launch information
| Launch date: | 11-DEC-1988 at 00:33:41 UTC |
| End-of-life date: | 10-DEC-2004 at 15:21:45 UTC |
| Launch vehicle: | Ariane 44 LP, Flight V 27 |
| Launch site: | Kourou, French Guyana |
| Launch mass: | 1768kg |
Satellite orbital information
| Satellite manufacturer: | Lockheed Martin (formerly GE Astro Space) |
| Orbital location: | last orbital location 5.2° east, now drifting in graveyard orbit |
| Stabilization system: | 3-axis type |
| Total power consumption: | 2600W |
Satellite transponder information
| Transponder capacity: | beginning of life, 16trp |
| TWTA output power: | 45W |
| EIRP: | 51dBW |
| All transponders are eclipse protected | |
| Transponder bandwidth: | 26MHz |
Satellite history
ASTRA 1A was positioned at 19.2° east for over 13 years. In early 2002 it was moved to 5.2° east in an inclined orbit. At this position, nine transponders were active for contribution links, as well as occasional-use services for broadcasters and news organizations needing temporary transmission capacity.