SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company (Paris:SESG)
(LuxX:SESG), announces today that its new satellite ASTRA 1KR has been
deployed at the company's prime orbital 19.2(degree) East and is now
operational. The satellite was successfully launched from Cape
Canaveral on 20 April onboard an Atlas V rocket and has now completed
extensive testings of its hardware and broadcasting functionalities.
ASTRA 1KR has 32 active transponders and provides distribution of
Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcast services for SES ASTRA customers across
Europe, with an extended reach into Eastern Europe. The new satellite
allows SES ASTRA to replace its satellites ASTRA 1B and ASTRA 1C at
the same orbital position. ASTRA 1B has reached the end of its life
after 15 years of service and will be deorbited within the coming
weeks.
"We are very pleased that our ASTRA 1KR mission has been completed
and that we can welcome a new member in the ASTRA satellite fleet",
says Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of SES ASTRA. "ASTRA 1KR will
further strengthen the ASTRA fleet at our prime orbital position
19.2(degree) East and will allow us to maintain the best possible
service and quality for our customers across Europe."
Please find an updated presentation of the SES fleet on our
website:
http://media.ses-astra.com/downloads_astra/Pictures/
Satellite_Fleet/0_Global_Sat_Fleet_L.jpg
(Note to Editors: You might need to copy and paste the above link into
your browser.)
About SES ASTRA www.ses-astra.com
The ASTRA Satellite System is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH)
satellite system in Europe, delivering services to some 107 million
Direct-to-Home and cable households. The ASTRA satellite fleet
currently comprises 13 satellites, transmitting in excess of 1600
analogue and digital television and radio channels as well as
multimedia and Internet services. ASTRA's two prime orbital positions
for DTH services are 19.2(degree) East and 28.2(degree) East.
Professional services such as Direct-to cable (DTC), Satellite
Newsgathering (SNG) and Occasional Use are offered from the orbital
position of 23.5(degree) East.
SES ASTRA is an SES GLOBAL company (Paris:SESG)(LuxX:SESG). SES
GLOBAL wholly owns three market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA
in Europe, SES AMERICOM in the US and New Skies Satellites in regions
other than North America and Europe. The Company also holds strategic
participations in AsiaSat in Asia, Star One in Latin America, SES
Sirius in Europe, Ciel in Canada and Quetzsat in Mexico. Americom
Government Services provides network solutions and bandwidth to the US
government and its contractors. SES GLOBAL provides outstanding
satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 43 satellites across
the globe. Additional information on SES GLOBAL is available at:
www.ses-global.com
