Astra 5B
Astra 5B (now called Astra 3C) is one of the Astra communications satellites owned and operated by SES. It was launched as SES' 56th satellite in March 2014, to the newest of the Astra orbital positions for direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television, at 31.5° East for DTH, DTT and cable use in Eastern Europe,.
| Names | Astra 5B (2014-2023) Astra 3C (2023-) |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | SES S.A. |
| COSPAR ID | 2014-011B |
| SATCAT no. | 39617 |
| Website | https://www.ses.com/ |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) 10 years, 18 days (elapsed) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Eurostar |
| Bus | Eurostar-3000 |
| Manufacturer | Astrium (now Airbus Defence and Space) |
| Launch mass | 5,724 kg (12,619 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 22 March 2014, 22:04 UTC |
| Rocket | Ariane 5 ECA (VA216) |
| Launch site | Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Entered service | 2 June 2014 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 31.5° East (2014-2023) 23.5° East (2023-) |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 43 transponders: 40 Ku-band 3 Ka-band |
| Coverage area | Europe |
Astra constellation | |
The satellite replaced the Astra 1G satellite at 31.5° East, which was itself filling in at that position after the loss of the Astra 5A satellite (originally called Sirius 2) in 2009, Astra 2C was first used at 31.5° East to replace Astra 5A, with Astra 1G positioned there in 2010.
Astra 5B was the third satellite to be launched of four ordered together by SES from Astrium (now Airbus Defence and Space) in 2009. The similar Astra 2E and Astra 2F were launched to Astra 28.2°E before Astra 5B in 2013 and 2012, respectively, and the fourth, Astra 2G was launched later, in 2014.