Astra 1K

Astra 1K

Mission type	Communications
Operator	SES
COSPAR ID	2002-053A
SATCAT no.	27557
Website	https://www.ses.com/
Mission duration	15 years (planned) Failed on orbit (DM03 failure)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type	Spacebus
Bus	Spacebus-3000B3S
Manufacturer	Alcatel Space
Launch mass	5,250 kg (11,570 lb)
Power	13 kW
Start of mission
Launch date	25 November 2002, 23:04:23 UTC
Rocket	Proton-K / DM03
Launch site	Baikonur, Site 81/23
Contractor	Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
Entered service	Failed on orbit (DM03 failure)
End of mission
Disposal	Deorbited
Decay date	10 December 2002
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit[1]
Regime	Low Earth orbit Geostationary orbit (planned)
Longitude	19.2° East (planned)
Perigee altitude	142 km (88 mi)
Apogee altitude	288 km (179 mi)
Inclination	51.5°
Period	88.79 minutes
Transponders
Band	54 transponders: 52 Ku-band 2 Ka-band
Coverage area	Europe
Astra constellation ← Astra 3A Astra 1KR →

Astra 1K was a communications satellite manufactured by Alcatel Space for SES. When it was launched on 25 November 2002, it was the largest civilian communications satellite ever launched, with a mass of 5,250 kg (11,570 lb).^[2] Intended to replace the Astra 1B satellite and provide backup for 1A, 1C and 1D at the Astra 19.2°E orbital position,^[3] the Blok DM3 upper stage of the Proton-K launch vehicle failed to function properly, leaving the satellite in an unusable parking orbit.