SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG LuxX:SESG), has announced today that the launch of its new satellite ASTRA 1L onboard an Ariane 5 rocket is scheduled for 3 May 2007 from the launch site of Kourou, French Guiana. ASTRA 1L is the 9th ASTRA satellite launched with Arianespace and the 3rd ASTRA satellite launched with an Ariane 5 rocket.
ASTRA 1L is an A2100 AXS type of satellite built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS). It will join the ASTRA satellites currently co-positioned at 19.2(degree) East to operate as a replacement satellite for existing capacity and to strengthen ASTRA’s unique redundancy and customer security scheme.
Martin Halliwell, Chief Technology Officer of SES ASTRA, said: “After the successful launches that we have already experienced together, we feel very confident that we have chosen the right partner for the launch of our new satellite. This is the first Ariane launch of an ASTRA spacecraft since ASTRA 3A in March 2002. We are excited to be returning to Kourou to work once again with the colleagues from Arianespace and look forward to a successful mission.”
About SES ASTRA www.ses-astra.com
SES ASTRA is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite system in Europe, delivering services to more than 109 million DTH and cable households. The ASTRA satellite fleet currently comprises 12 satellites, transmitting 1.864 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 26 High Definition (HD) channels available via its satellites today, ASTRA is also the most important HDTV broadcasting platform in Europe. ASTRA’s prime orbital positions are 19.2(degree) East, 28.2(degree) East, and 23.5(degree) East.
SES ASTRA is an SES company (Paris:SESG LuxX:SESG). SES wholly owns three market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe, SES AMERICOM in North America, and SES NEW SKIES, which provides global connectivity as well as coverage. 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 provides outstanding satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 43 satellites on 33 orbital positions around the globe. Additional information on SES is available at: www.ses-global.com
