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 |
| 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 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). Intended to replace the Astra 1B satellite and provide backup for 1A, 1C and 1D at the Astra 19.2°E orbital position, the Blok DM3 upper stage of the Proton-K launch vehicle failed to function properly, leaving the satellite in an unusable parking orbit.