Astra 1K

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General

Designation	27557 / 02053A
Launch date	25 Nov 2002
Country of origin	Luxemburg
Mission	Direct TV
Geostationary orbit	19.2°E
Launch vehicle	Proton #298

Astra's mega satellite will replace Astra 1B and provide backup for Astra 1A, 1C and 1D. Will provide increased coverage in Eastern Europe and the CIS. It will also implement ARCS (Astra Return Channel System); this uses Ka-band to receive signals from satellite uplink systems on homes and businesses. The hardware needed on the client end is a simple as a 30 cm dish and a cheap transmitter.

The satellite and launch is said to cost $280 million. It might be insured for upto $217 million.

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End of life

Out of service	25 Nov 2002
Cause	The upper stage of the rocket failed to put the satellite in GTO and left it in a 176 km circular orbit.
Decay	10 Dec 2002 over the Pacific

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External resources

sat-index articles

Technical data

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EIRP coverage (dBW)

Mission 1
Mission 2

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Specifications

Prime contractor	Aerospatiale
Platform	Spacebus-3000B3S (4000 bus but with older 3000B3 avionics)
Mass at launch	5250 kg
Mass in orbit
Payload mass	680 kg
Dimensions	7.6 m height, 37 m span deployed
Solar array	6 solar panels
Stabilization	3-axis
DC power	EOL 13000 W
Design lifetime	13-19 years

Astrium S400 liquid apogee engine.

9 antenna reflectors. The Ka-band antenna is provided by Spar Aerospace, it will cover major European cities.

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Ku-band

Main transponders	52 (46 after 5 years)
Backup transponders	7
Power	105 W (TWTA)
Bandwidth	26 MHz
Coverage & max EIRP	Mission 1: replacement & backup for Ku-low-band: 52 dBW Mission 2: Continental Europe & UK: 53.5 dBW
G/T max
Polarization	linear /HV
Frequencies	Any in band A, band B, band C & band D

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Ka-band

Main transponders	2
Backup transponders
Power	66 W (TWTA)
Bandwidth	500 MHz
Coverage	multiple spot beams (16 beams)
EIRP max	55 dBW
G/T max
Polarization

Will be able to backup Astra 1H's Ka-band payload.

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