On 27 December satellite operator SES launched the ASTRA 2G satellite into space
on board an ILS Proton Breeze M booster. The satellite was successfully released
into geostationary transfer orbit and will be deployed at the 28.2/28.5 degrees
orbital arc.
The ASTRA 2G was built for SES by Airbus Defence and Space. Based on the highly
reliable Eurostar E3000 platform, the spacecraft carries 62 Ku-band transponders,
as well as 4 Ka-band transponders. It will enable the delivery of next generation
broadcast and broadband services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. ASTRA 2G
had a launch mass of 6 tons features a wingspan of 40 meters once its solar arrays
are deployed in orbit, generating 13 kW of spacecraft power at the end of its 15-
year design lifetime.
Martin Halliwell, SES chief technology officer said, “The ASTRA 2G satellite
completes our significant replacement investments at a strategic orbital
neighbourhood over Europe and provides 10 incremental transponders for expansion
while cementing our unique co-positioning satellite back-up-scheme.
“The spacecraft furthermore includes the capability to connect West Africa to Europe
via Ka-band. In combination with ASTRA 2E and ASTRA 2F which were launched in
September 2012 and 2013 respectively, ASTRA 2G is the culmination of our fleet
renewal programme at the 28.2/28.5 degrees orbital arc. The new state-of-the-art
SES satellites provide more focused and higher power to our broadcast customers,
while the Ka-band on board supports the delivery of next-generation satellite
broadband services as well as intercontinental connectivity between Africa and
Europe.’
With the launch of ASTRA 2G, SES also supports SATMED, an e-health platform
which enables communication between doctors and aims to improve public health in
emerging and developing countries, most significantly in isolated areas with poor
connectivity. SATMED is developed by SES and supported by the Luxembourg
Government and the Ministry for Cooperation and Humanitarian Action.
