SES ASTRA Deliberate In DTH Approach

Because their ASTRA 1D satellite is nearing the end of its life, and as the company wishes to further extend their Direct-To-Home (DTH) services for broadcasters across Europe, SES ASTRA has undertaken a space move. That’s right! Their satellite ASTRA 1E is now relocated from its 19.2° East orbital position to 23.5° East. The ASTRA 1E joins ASTRA 3A and will become operational by the end of this month.




This move was made possible by the successful launch of ASTRA 1L. That satellite initiated its services at 19.2° East in July of this year. Another satellite, the ASTRA 3B, is scheduled for launch by the end of 2009. This will then add 19 transponders to the 37 transponders available on the 3A and 1E at this orbital position today. The company is building 23.5° East into a new, prime orbital slot for DTH reception, with the focus on Benelux and Central and Eastern European markets. Plus, 23.5° also transmits the Dutch regional broadcasters and the Netherlands’ SatTV provider Canal Digitaal, with whom SES ASTRA recently concluded an agreement for them to use further capacity on 23.5 ° East for the launch of a new, thematic bouquet at the end of this month and for a new bouquet next year—Betzdorf, Luxembourg