ILS to Launch Astra Satellite on Atlas V

Astra 1KR, an all Ku-band spacecraft with 32 active transponders, will be located at 19.2 degrees East longitude. (Lockheed photo)

McLEAN, Va., April 14, 2006/Satnews Daily/ ― The International Launch Services (ILS) has announced the launch of Astra 1KR direct broadcast satellite on Atlas V on Thursday, April 20, 2006 at the Launch Complex 41 of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. It will have a 2 hour and 50 minutes launch window that begins at 4:27-7:17 p.m. EDT or 20:27-23:17 GMT.

Astra 1KR was manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems and is based on the company’s A2100AX model. It is an all Ku-band satellite with 32 active transponders for the first five years, and 28 thereafter. It will operate at 19.2 degrees East and has 15 years targeted lifetime.

With its with its pan-European footprint, Astra 1KR will provide DTH services for the whole of Europe. It is also planned to transmit HDTV channels across Europe. It will also ensure continuity of the unique inter-satellite back-up and provide replacement capacity for Astra 1B and Astra 1C. It will be operated by SES Astra.

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