Astra 1P

Astra 1P
NamesAstra 1P (2024- )
SES-24 (2024- )
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorSES
COSPAR ID2024-115A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.60086Edit this on Wikidata
Websitehttps://www.ses.com/
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeSpacebus
BusSpacebus NEO-200
ManufacturerThales Alenia Space
Launch mass~5000 kg
Start of mission
Launch date20 June 2024
RocketFalcon 9 Block 5
Launch siteCape Canaveral
ContractorSpaceX
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude9.5°W (2024 testing)
19.2°E
Transponders
Band80 Ku-band
Coverage areaEurope
← Astra 2G
Astra 1Q →

Astra 1P (also known as SES-24) is an Astra communications satellite, built by Thales Alenia Space for owner/operator SES. Launched by SpaceX on 20 June 2024, the satellite will be positioned in geostationary orbit, in SES's primary European broadcasting slot at 19.2° East, where it will join and replace the Astra 1KR, Astra 1L, Astra 1M, and Astra 1N satellites currently stationed there (three of which have already exceeded their planned lifespans). Astra 1P is the first Astra satellite to be launched by SpaceX.[1][2][3]

Using all-electric thrusters, Astra 1P took several months to reach geostationary orbit. It was first positioned at 9.5° West for testing, which was successfully completed in December 2024,[4] and is currently moving to 19.2° East to begin service in early 2025.[5]

Satellite description

Ordered by SES in 2021 from Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Astra 1P is a classic wide-beam broadcasting satellite based on the all-electric Spacebus NEO satellite bus produced at the Cannes Mandelieu Space Center in France. The satellite has 80 physical Ku-band transponders with bandwidth filters, capable of broadcasting up to 500 HDTV channels.[6][2]

Broadcasting reach

Astra 1P is a third generation satellite at SES's original orbital position of 19.2° East to provide continued free-to-air and pay-TV direct-to-home broadcasting services to all of Europe, with an identical coverage and frequency plan to the existing second generation of satellites at this orbital position that are reaching the end of their operational life.[7][2]In particular, the satellite will serve private and public broadcasters in the following regions of Europe:

  • German-speaking: SES delivers content to 42 million TV households in Germany, Austria and Switzerland via satellite, cable, and IPTV. Broadcasters include High View, ORF, ProSiebenSat.1, QVC Germany, ZDF, and the HD+ high-definition satellite TV platform.
  • France: satellites at 19.2° East serve 17.5 million homes with major TV platforms including CANAL+ and Orange.
  • Spain: Astra 19.2° East provides 7.5 million TV households with free-to-air (FTA) international TV channels and Telefonica's Movistar Plus+ TV platform.

In addition, Astra 19.2° East is the home of the ASTRA 1 Sports satellite distribution platform delivering sports coverage, major events and significant breaking news to millions of TV households in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ "SES Orders Two State-of-the-Art Satellites for its Prime TV Neighbourhood Serving 118 Million Homes" (Press release). 18 November 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Watch this space: SES set to launch most powerful satellite to orbit at 19.2E SVG Europe. 12 February 2024. Accessed 29 March 2024
  3. ^ SES Astra 1P and SpaceX break records Advanced Television. 21 June 2024. Accessed 25 June 2024
  4. ^ Euro-satellite Astra 1P fully operational RXTV. 19 December 2024. Accessed 26 December 2024
  5. ^ Real Time Satellite Tracking And Predictions - Astra 1P Accessed 26 December 2024
  6. ^ THALES ALENIA SPACE TO BUILD STATE-OF-THE-ART ASTRA 1P AND ASTRA 1Q SATELLITES FOR SES Thales. 18 November 2021. Accessed 29 March 2024
  7. ^ SES orders two ASTRA satellites Advanced Television. 18 November 2021. Accessed 30 March 2024
  8. ^ ABOUT ASTRA 1P & ASTRA 1Q SES. Accessed 25 June 2024