- Fifth Eurostar satellite delivered by
Astrium this year
Astrium took control and commenced
in-orbit operations following launch of the ASTRA 1M satellite on 5 November
2008 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The satellite reached
geostationary orbit on 13 November where it fully deployed its solar arrays and
its three antenna reflectors. Upon completion of platform testing in orbit on
18 November, the control of the satellite was transferred to SES who has
thoroughly tested its communications payload and validated its full performance.
Just one month after the hand over, SES formally pronounced today the in-orbit acceptance of the Astrium-built satellite, which is
now ready to enter operational service at its 19.2°E orbital location.
With its 36
high-power Ku-band transponders, the Astrium-built Eurostar E3000 satellite
will deliver direct-to-home (DTH) services, including digital and high definition (HD)
television with pan-European coverage. ASTRA 1M is the second Eurostar
satellite in the ASTRA fleet following ASTRA 2B, which was launched in
September 2000. Astrium is constructing two other Eurostar E3000 satellites for
SES : ASTRA 3B is currently undergoing final assembly and testing, and
Astra 1N was ordered in July 2008.
ASTRA 1M is the fifth Eurostar satellite launched this year and the 39th in
orbit. It is the 14th Eurostar E3000 satellite, eleven others are currently at
various stages of production.
Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary
of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and
services. In 2007, Astrium had a turnover of €3.5 billion and 12,000 employees
in France, Germany, the United
Kingdom, Spain
and the Netherlands.
Its three main areas of activity are Astrium Space Transportation for launchers
and orbital infrastructure, Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground
segment and its wholly owned subsidiary Astrium Services for the development
and delivery of satellite services.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence
and related services. In 2007, EADS generated revenues of €39.1 billion
and employed a workforce of more than 116,000.
Media
contacts:
Matthieu Duvelleroy (Astrium FR) Phone: +33 (0) 1 77 75 80 32
Jeremy Close (Astrium UK) Phone: +44 (0) 1 438 77
3872
Mathias
Pikelj (Astrium GER) Phone: +49 (0) 7545 8 9123
Francisco Lechón (Astrium SP) Phone:
+34 91 586 37 41
www.astrium.eads.net
