Astra 1B

Part of the Astra program

Astra 1B provides TV coverage to Western Europe. The satellite is owned and operated by Société Europíenne des Satellites (SES), a private company formed in 1985. Astra 1B is the second in a network of four satellites. SES acquired Astra 1B from DBS Crimson Satellite Associates while still under construction by GE Astro Space (as Satcom K3). Astra 1B is colocated with Astra 1A, and doubled the number of channels provided by the Astra network.

Spacecraft
GE 5000 platform. 3-axis stabilization with momentum wheels, magnetic torquers, Earth sensors and 20 blowdown monopropellant hydrazine thrusters. Solar arrays provide 4850 W BOL, 4 50 Ahr NiH batteries. GEO insertion provided by 2 500N bipropellant motors.

Payload
16 Ku-band transponders (with six spares)

Country of Origin	Luxembourg
Customer/User	SES
Manufacturer(s)	GE Astro Space
Size	2.2 x 2.2 x 2.8 meter bus with 2 9 meter solar arrays (24 meters from tip-to-tip)
Orbit	GEO, stationed at 19.2 deg E
Design Life	12.5 years

Launch Facts

Name	Int'l Desig.	Date	Site	Vehicle	Orbit	Mass(kg)
Notes
Astra 1B	1991-015A	3/2/91	Kourou	Ariane 44LP	GEO	2620
19.2 deg E; European coverage