The Astra 1K satellite
ALCATEL FACT SHEET
Posted: November 24, 2002

Astra 1K
Illustration of Astra 1K. Photo: SES ASTRA
 
In December 1997, the Luxembourg - based Societe Europeenne de Satellites (SES) entrusted Alcatel Space with realizing the largest most versatile telecommunications satellite ever built.

To reinforce the fleet currently in orbit, Alcatel Space is responsible for the direct television and multimedia satellite Astra 1K for SES.

The contract bears on an order for one satellite delivered on the ground and an optional satellite, as well as the associated equipment and services:

  • launch compatibility and interface
  • insurance and transport of the satellite to the launch site
  • the launch campaign: satellite preparation and operation
  • in-orbit commissioning
  • on-site support for in-orbit commissioning operations and operations support
  • operational documentation
  • platform IOT and payload IOT support
  • satellite dynamic simulator
  • training of SES staff
The Astra 1K satellite uses the Spacebus 4000 platform with Spacebus 3000B3 avionics and provides 15 kW (beginning of life).

Positioned at 19.2 deg E, it will provide simultaneous transmission of 52 Ku-band channels (110 W with a 26 MHz bandwidth) and 2 Ka-band channels (66 W with a 500 MHz bandwidth).

Astra 1K will have three missions:

Mission 1 - Replacement capacity of the fleet of Astra satellites positioned at 19.2 deg E.

Mission 2 - Geographic extension of the coverage and reuse of frequencies over two different zones.

Mission 3 - Multimedia and interactive system, with the development of a new Ka-band service and back up of the Astra 1H satellite.

Astra 1K
Astra 1K in the factory. Photo: SES ASTRA
 

The Spacebus product range
It provides a unique combination of performance, maturity and reliability with worldwide recognition. Astra 1K benefits from the many technological advances developed with the SPACEBUS family, i.e.:

  • capacity for using a large number of antennas (7 antennas with 9 reflectors)
  • use of electric propulsion
  • compatibility with the Ariane 4, Ariane 5 and Proton launchers
  • "Beam link" on Ka band

The industrial team
Alcatel Space, Prime Contractor, is in charge of developing Astra 1K. The industrial organization set up, calls on many industrial institutions in E u rope, the USA and Japan, including:

  • Alcatel Space Industries: Ku and Ka repeater equipment (DOCOM/DLA/CAMP - UPCON...), mechanisms, solar a rrays, power distribution, electric propulsion, structure, heat regulation, wiring, data handling, Ku-band antennas
  • Alcatel Espacio: Payload equipment (KU Diplexer)
  • Alcatel ETCA: Electrical equipment (PCU, PPU)
  • Alcatel Bell Space: RF equipment (MLO Ka) and Space System Loral, COM DEV, TTE, NEC, AEROSPATIALE, ALENIA, EMS, SAAB, RYMSA, SEP, DSS, etc.

Astra 1K
Astra 1K during pre-flight testing. Photo: SES ASTRA
 

Flight data file
Vehicle: Proton K/Block DM
Payload: Astra 1K
Launch date: Nov. 25, 2002
Launch time: 2304 GMT (6:04 p.m. EST)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Satellite broadcast: Galaxy 4R, Transponder 19, C-band
Pre-launch briefing
Launch timeline - Chart with times and descriptions of events to occur during the launch.

Ground track - Map showing the ground track for the launch.

Orbit insertion - Illustration showing the orbits for this mission.

Proton - A look at the Russian expendable rocket to be used for this mission.

Astra 1K - General overview of this TV broadcasting spacecraft.
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