Astra 1A

Astra 1A
Mission type	Communications
Operator	SES
COSPAR ID	1988-109B
SATCAT no.	19688
Website	https://www.ses.com/
Mission duration	12 years (planned); 16 years (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
Bus	AS-4000
Manufacturer	GE Astro Space; (now Lockheed Martin Space Systems)
Launch mass	1,768 kg (3,898 lb)
Dimensions	1.5 m x 1.7 m x 2.1 m; (solar panels span of 19.3 m)
Power	2.6 kW
Start of mission
Launch date	11 December 1988,; 00:33:28 UTC
Rocket	Ariane 44LP (V27)
Launch site	Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
Contractor	Arianespace
Entered service	5 February 1989
End of mission
Disposal	Graveyard orbit
Deactivated	December 2004
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Geostationary orbit
Longitude	19.2° East (1989–2001); 19.4° East (2001); 5.2° East (2001–2004)
Transponders
Band	16 Ku-band (45 watts)
Bandwidth	26 MHz
Coverage area	Western Europe
	Astra constellation Astra 1B →

Astra 1A was the first satellite launched and operated by SES (Société Européenne des Satellites), launched in December 1988. During its early days, it was often referred to as the Astra Satellite, as SES only operated one satellite originally. The satellite provided 16 transponders(+6 as rescue) and television coverage to Western Europe from 1989 to 2004. Astra 1A was retired and became derelict in December 2004.

^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference Fact Sheet was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "ASTRA 1A 1988-109B 19688". N2YO.com. Retrieved 6 April 2021.

[Fact_Sheet-1] Cite error: The named reference Fact Sheet was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[n2yo-2] "ASTRA 1A 1988-109B 19688". N2YO.com. Retrieved 6 April 2021.

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