Last night SES’ ASTRA 2G satellite roared into space on board an ILS Proton Breeze M booster from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The spacecraft lifted off the launch pad at 03:37:49 Baikonur time (22:37:49 CET and 16:37:49 EST on December 27). After a 9-hour, 12-minute mission, the Breeze M upper stage of the Proton rocket successfully released the ASTRA 2G satellite into geostationary transfer orbit.
ASTRA 2G will be the 54th satellite of SES global fleet and the spacecraft will be located at the orbital slot of 28.2/28.5° East. This new satellite will provide next-generation broadcast, VSAT and broadband services to Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including the ability to connect West Africa to Europe via Ka-band.
With the launch of ASTRA 2G, SES also supports SATMED, an e-health platform aimed to improve public health in emerging and developing countries. The satellite-based solution is developed by SES and supported by the Luxembourg Government and the Ministry for Cooperation and Humanitarian Action.
Following the launch of ASTRA 2E and ASTRA 2F in 2012 and 2013 respectively, ASTRA 2G now completes SES substantial fleet renewal programme for this strategic orbital position over Europe.
ASTRA 2G was manufactured by Airbus Defense and Space and has a design life of 15 years.
Read Press Release here
To learn more about ASTRA 2G coverage click here
– See more at: http://www.ses.com/20471000/2014-12-28-ASTRA-2G-successfully-launched-into-orbit#sthash.pouppnUt.dpuf