Astra 2F
Astra 2F is one of the Astra communications satellites owned and operated by SES S.A., launched in September 2012 to the Astra 28.2°E orbital position. The satellite provides free-to-air and encrypted direct-to-home (DTH) digital television and satellite broadband services for Europe and Africa.
| Names | Eutelsat 28F |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | SES S.A. |
| COSPAR ID | 2012-051A |
| SATCAT no. | 38778 |
| Website | https://www.ses.com/ |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) 11 years, 6 months, 12 days (elapsed) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Eurostar |
| Bus | Eurostar-3000 |
| Manufacturer | Astrium (now Airbus Defence and Space) |
| Launch mass | 5,968 kg (13,157 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 28 September 2012, 21:18:07 UTC |
| Rocket | Ariane 5ECA (VA209) |
| Launch site | Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Entered service | 21 November 2012 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 28.2° East |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 63 transponders: 60 Ku-band 3 Ka-band |
| Coverage area | Europe |
Astra constellation | |
Astra 2F is the first of three "second generation" satellites for the 28.2° East position which replace the first generation Astra 2A, Astra 2B and Astra 2D satellite previously there. The second, Astra 2E, was launched in 2013, and the third, Astra 2G, was launched in 2014, (launched on 27 December 2014,). Some parts of the construction of Astra 2F by Astrium (now Airbus Defence and Space) in Stevenage, United Kingdom could be seen in the BBC2 documentary programme, How To Build... A Satellite broadcast on 27 November 2011.
Astra 2F was successfully launched from Kourou in French Guiana on 28 September 2012, at 21:18:07 UTC by an Ariane 5ECA launch vehicle from Centre Spatial Guyanais. and underwent in-orbit testing at 43.5° East. Commercial operations at 28.2° East began on 21 November 2012.