- Astra 3A
Broadcast satellite
Name = Astra 3A
Launch Date =March 29 ,2002
Launch Mass = 1,495
Orbit Mass =
Manufacturer =Boeing Satellite Systems
Model = V139
Launcher =Ariane 44L
Flight Number =
Lifetime = at least 10
Transponder Capacity = 20Ku band
TWTA output power = 30
Bandwidth = 36
EIRP = 52
Expendable Energy = 1550
Former location =
Current location = 23.5Astra 3A is a
communications satellite owned and operated bySES Astra , launched in 2002 to theAstra 23.5°E orbital slot providing digital television and radio for DTH and cable, multimedia and interactive services, corporate networks, and occasional and other business services to central Europe.The satellite provides two broadcast beams, of horizontal and vertical
polarisation , across two footprints that cover essentially the same areas of Europe – principally the countries of central Europe [cite web |url= http://www.ses-astra.com/resources/pdf/en-shared/satellite_factsheets/0_3A_Footprint_FactSheet.pdf |title=Astra 3A Factsheet |publisher= SES ASTRA | accessmonthday= August 28 |accessyear=2008] .TV signals can be received with a 50cm dish across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, and most of Denmark, and in parts of France, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, and Slovakia, with reception on a 110cm dish as far afield as Scotland, Sweden and Serbia.
In addition to contribution feeds and individual TV channels, Astra 3A carries pay-TV networks including
Kabel Deutschland (Germany ),Canal Digitaal Satelliet (Netherlands ), CS Link (Czech Republic ) and Skylink (Slovakia ). [cite web |url= http://www.lyngsat.com/astra3a.html |title=Astra 3A at 23.5°E |publisher= LyngSat | accessmonthday= August 28 |accessyear=2008 ] .Astra 3A was launched to provide follow-on capacity to replace the DFS-Kopernikus 3 satellite and deliver additional capacity for the Benelux countries and central Europe, to create SES-Astra’s second major European satellite hotspot after
Astra 19.2°E with access to channels at both positions using a single dish fitted with a monoblockDuo LNB .References
ee Also
*
Astra 1E co-located satellite
*Astra 23.5°E orbital position
*SES Astra satellite owner
*DFS-Kopernikus previous position holderExternal Links
* [http://www.ses-astra.com/consumer/en/how-to-receive-astra/index.php SES Astra guide to receiving Astra satellites]
* [http://www.ses-astra.com/consumer/en/channel-guide/index.php SES Astra guide to channels broadcasting on Astra satellites]
* [http://www.ses-astra.com SES Astra Website]
* [http://www.satbeams.com/footprints?beam=5633 Astra 3A Horizontal beam footprint on SatBeams]
* [http://www.satbeams.com/footprints?beam=5717 Astra 3A Vertical beam footprint on SatBeams]
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