Astra 1B [SES]
Official name ASTRA 1B
Alternative name Astra 1B
Cospar ID 1991-015A
Norad ID 21139
Launch date 1991-03-02
Launch site FRGUI
Launch vehicle Ariane-44LP H10
Country/Organization Luxembourg
Type application Communication (Direct Broadcasting)
Operator SES
RCS size LARGE
Decay date ON ORBIT
Period (min) 1461.79
Inclination (deg) 12.41
Perigee (km) 36234
Apogee (km) 36342
Eccentricity 0.00148809523809524
Mean motion (revs. per day) 0.985093618098359
Semi-Major axis (km) 42666.135
Raan (deg) 27.5489
Arg of perigee (deg) 6.7256
Shape Hex Poly + 2 Pan
Mass (kg) 1548.07
Height (m) 2.3
Width (m) 2.2
Depth (m) 2.2
Span (m^2) 24.38
Lifetime 12 years
Contractors GE Astrospace
Equipment 16 (+6) Ku-band transponders
Propulsion 2 × LEROS-1
Configuration AS-5000
Power 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

The Luxembourg-based Societe Europeenne des Satellites (SES) provides telecommunications services to most of Europe via American-manufactured spacecraft.

In 1989 SES acquired the incomplete Satcom K3 and modified it for the use as a european direct broadcasting satellite.

Astra 1B is based on Lockheed-Martin (GE Astro Space) spacecraft buses, a 1.5 metric ton AS-5000 series platform. Astra 1B has overall dimensions of 2.2 m by 2.2 m by 2.8 m with a solar panel span of 24.3 m and 4.9 kW. The spacecraft carries 16 active 60W Ku-band transponders.

Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
ASTRA 1B 1991-015A 1991-03-02 FRGUI Ariane-44LP H10 with Meteosat 5