After
tests of the ASTRA 2F Ka-band satellite proved successful, Astrium
has turned the multi-band communications platform over to satellite
operator SES.
SES
will test its new satellite's Ka-band and Ku-band communications
payload. If everything works, ASTRA 2F will enter operational service
at the 28.2 degrees E orbital slot.
ASTRA
2F was launched into space by an Ariane 5 rocket on September 28,
2012. Astrium took control of it and performed Launch and Early Orbit
Phase operations from the Company's spacecraft control center in Toulouse. The telecommunications satellite entered geostationary orbit on October 4 and has already
fully deployed its solar arrays and quadruple antenna reflectors.
Astrium
based the ASTRA 2F satellite on its highly reliable Eurostar E3000
platform. The new SES satellite weighs 3 tons and can generate 13 kW
throughout its designed operational lifespan of 15 years. It will
deliver next-generation satellite broadband and broadcast services to customers in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
SES
currently operates a total of five Eurostar satellites. It has
contracted Astrium for another four Eurostar E3000 satellites, of
which two are already in final assembly and testing stages, to provide further satellite Internet and broadcast services.
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