SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG), announced today that the launch of its new satellite ASTRA 1M from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan is scheduled for 31 October 2008. ASTRA 1M will be launched on a Proton Breeze M launch vehicle provided by International Launch Services (ILS) and is the 7th ASTRA satellite to be launched on a Proton rocket.
The spacecraft built by EADS ASTRIUM, and based on the Eurostar 3000 platform, will be positioned at SES ASTRA´s prime orbital position 19.2 degrees East, where it will provide pan–European coverage. It will primarily deliver Direct–to–Home (DTH) services, including High Definition (HD) television. The launch of ASTRA 1M will allow SES ASTRA to redeploy other satellites to its increasingly important orbital position of 23.5 degrees East.
Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of SES ASTRA, said: " SES and the Proton launch team are very experienced partners. Since the launch of ASTRA 1F on Proton in 1996, we have developed strong and reliable relationships with ILS and Khrunichev. We are counting on the continuous support by our launch partner and look forward to working with the launch team for this upcoming launch."
About SES ASTRA www.ses–astra.com
SES ASTRA is the leading Direct–to–Home (DTH) satellite system in Europe. The satellite fleet currently comprises 14 ASTRA and two SIRIUS satellites. The combined satellite system delivers services to more than 117 million DTH and cable households and transmits a total of 2,433 analogue and digital television and radio channels. SES ASTRA also provides satellite–based multimedia, internet and telecommunication services to enterprises, governments and their agencies. With 46 High Definition (HD) channels concentrated on its main orbital positions, ASTRA and SIRIUS represent the most important HDTV platform for Europe´s leading broadcasters. The prime orbital positions for ASTRA and SIRIUS are 19.2° East, 28.2° East, 23.5° East, 5° East and 31.5° East.
SES ASTRA is an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG). SES owns three market–leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe, SES AMERICOM in North America, and SES NEW SKIES which provides global coverage and connectivity. The company owns 90 percent of SES SIRIUS in Europe, as well as strategic participations in Ciel in Canada and Quetzsat in Mexico. SES provides outstanding satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 38 satellites in 25 orbital positions around the globe. Additional information on SES is available at: www.ses.com
