SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG), today announced that its new ASTRA 1M satellite has been fully integrated into the fairing of the launch vehicle, a Proton Breeze M rocket, and is ready for launch on 6 November (local time) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The satellite built by EADS ASTRIUM on an Eurostar E3000 platform will be launched by International Launch Services (ILS) into SES ASTRA´s prime orbital position 19.2 degrees East.
The launch of ASTRA 1M will allow SES ASTRA to further strengthen its satellite fleet. ASTRA 1M will provide Direct–to–Home (DTH) services including HDTV to Continental Europe. The ASTRA satellite fleet delivers high quality broadcasting to over 117 million European homes.
Practical information to watch the launch of ASTRA 1M on satellite TV will be available on our website (www.ses–astra.com) shortly.
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 55 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 39 satellites in 26 orbital positions around the globe. Additional information on SES is available at: www.ses.com
