Payload: ASTRA 1K SpaceBus platform

  • Separated mass: approx. 5,250 kg (11,570 lbs)
  • Launch Vehicle: Proton K/Block DM
  • Weight at liftoff: 691,272 kg (1.5 million lbs), including payload
  • Height: 57.2 m (187.7 ft)
  • Launch Date: Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002 (Baikonur)
  • Monday, Nov. 25, 2002 (U.S.)
  • Launch Window Opens: 4:04 a.m. Nov. 26 (Baikonur) 23:04 Nov. 25 GMT 6:04 p.m. Nov. 25 (EST/USA)
  • Launch Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
  • Launch Complex 81, Pad 23
  • End User: SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company, a leading provider of video and data broadcasting via satellite in Europe
  • Satellite Manufacturer: Alcatel Space, France
  • Launch Vehicle Manufacturer: Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, Moscow – Proton first three stages; RSC Energia, near Moscow – Block DM fourth stage
  • Launch Services Provider: International Launch Services (ILS), McLean, Va.
  • Satellite Use: Digital services across Europe

Satellite Statistics:

Largest commercial satellite built to date

  • 14th satellite in SES ASTRA’s constellation
  • Orbital location: 19.2° East longitude
  • Anticipated service life of 13 years
  • 1st Alcatel satellite launched on Proton

Mission Profile: The Proton launch vehicle will inject the ASTRA 1K
satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The first three stages will
use a standard ascent trajectory to place the Block DM upper stage with the
satellite into a 175.5 km (109-mile) circular parking orbit, inclined at
51.6 degrees. Then the satellite will be propelled to its transfer orbit by
two additional burns of the Block DM. Following separation from the Block
DM, the spacecraft will perform a series of liquid apogee engine burns to
raise perigee, lower inclination and circularize the orbit at the
geostationary altitude of 36,000 km (22,300 miles).

Target Orbit at Separation:

  • Apogee: 35,786 km
  • Perigee: 3,343 km
  • Inclination: 26.3°

Spacecraft Separation: Approximately 6 hours, 36 minutes after liftoff

ILS Mission Statistics:

  • 8th ILS mission this year
  • 7th Proton mission this year
  • 25th ILS mission on Proton since formation of the U.S.-Russian joint venture in 1995
  • 6th launch for ASTRA by ILS on Proton

More Information:

Live webcast and general mission information are available
on the ILS web site. Launch status updates are available on the ILS U.S.
domestic Launch Hotline at 1-800-852-4980.