The ASTRA 2E satellite, designed and manufactured for satellite operator SES by Astrium, the world’s number two space technology company, is ready to be launched on 29 September (9:38 PM GMT) by an International Launch Services (ILS) Proton launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Based on Astrium’s highly reliable Eurostar E3000 platform, ASTRA 2E will carry Ku-and Ka-band payloads. It will deliver next generation broadcast and broadband services across Europe, Middle East and Africa from the orbital neighbourhood of 28.2° East.

ASTRA 2E will have a launch mass of 6 tonnes, a wingspan of 40m once its solar arrays are deployed in orbit, and a spacecraft power of 13kW at the end of its 15-year design lifetime. ASTRA 2E is equipped with 60 Ku-band transponders, and 4 Ka-band transponders that include 1 interconnect. Launch and Early Orbit Phase operations will be conducted from the Astrium spacecraft control centre in Toulouse.

ASTRA 2E will be the seventh Eurostar satellite in the SES fleet, following the successful launch of SES-6 in June 2013 and ASTRA 2F in September 2012. Two more Eurostar E3000 for SES (ASTRA 5B and ASTRA 2G) are currently in final integration and tests in Astrium facilities. 

About Astrium 

Astrium is the number one company in Europe for space technologies and the second in the world. It is the only global company that covers the full range of civil and defence space systems, equipment and services.

In 2012, Astrium had a turnover over €5.8 billion and 18,000 employees worldwide.

Its three business units are: Astrium Space Transportation, the European prime contractor for launchers, orbital systems and space exploration; Astrium Satellites, a leading provider of satellite system solutions, including spacecraft, ground segments, payloads and equipments; Astrium Services, the Space services partner for critical missions, providing comprehensive fixed and mobile solutions covering secure and commercial satcoms and networks, and bespoke geo-information services, worldwide.

Astrium is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2012, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of €56.5 billion and employed a workforce of over 140,000.