Astra 1C

Broadcast satellite
Name = Astra 1C
Launch Date = May 12, 1993
Launch Mass = 2790
Orbit Mass =
Manufacturer = Hughes
Model = HS 601
Launcher = Ariane 42 L
Flight Number = V56
Lifetime = 15
Transponder Capacity = 24 (18 main, 6 backup)
Twta output power = 63
Bandwidth = 26
EIRP = 51
Expendable Energy = 3300
Former location = 19.2
Current location = 5

Astra 1C was the third communications satellite launched by the Société Européenne des Satellites (SES), now SES Astra. It is the oldest Astra satellite still in operation, although it currently carries no services. Deployed at the Astra 19.2°E orbital position, it carried almost entirely analogue television services for its operational life, aimed mainly to the UK and Irish market in its early life, and Germany for the remainder.

The satellite was intended to be replaced in 2002, along with Astra 1B, by Astra 1K but this satellite failed to reach its intended orbit. It was eventually relieved of its remaining television/radio payloads by Astra 1KR. [cite press release |publisher=SES ASTRA|date=April 21, 2006|url=http://www.ses-astra.com/business/en/news-events/press-archive/2006/06-04-21/index.php|title=ASTRA 1KR SATELLITE SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED]

In November 2006, prior to the launch of Astra 1L to the 19.2°E position, Astra 1C was placed in an inclined orbit and moved first to 2.0°E for tests, and then in February 2007 to 4.6°E. In November 2007, the satellite was moved to the Astra 5°E position [cite web |url=http://www.tbs-satellite.com/tse/online/sat_astra_1c.html|title=Astra 1C factsheet|publisher=The Satellite Encyclopedia | accessmonthday= September 22 |accessyear=2008] - co-located with other Astra craft, still in an inclined orbit and largely unused.

References

ee Also

*Astra 4A co-located satellite
*Astra 5°E orbital position
*SES Astra satellite owner

External links

* [http://www.ses-astra.com SES Astra Website]
* [http://www.ses-astra.com/consumer/en/how-to-receive-astra/index.php SES Astra guide to receiving Astra satellites]