After a flight of 1 hour 48 minutes, the launcher's Centaur upper stage released the satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit.
"It was our 100th launch, and after 10 years of launching SES ASTRA satellites, we are delighted to have an opportunity to introduce this valued customer to the excellence of Atlas. We now have achieved 100 percent reliability on Atlas vehicles over 79 flights since mid-1993, launching both government and commercial payloads" - ILS President Mark Albrecht.
The Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 rocket (AV-008) has successfully launched the ASTRA 1KR television broadcasting spacecraft at 20:28 GMT, 20th April, 2006.
ASTRA-1KR is a high-power Ku-band satellite that features 32 transponders that will provide distribution of direct-to-home broadcast services across Europe. Operating from 19.2 degrees east, ASTRA-1KR is designed for a minimum service life of 15 years. ASTRA 1KR will also provide continuity to the ASTRA fleet at that orbital location, replacing primarily ASTRA 1B and 1C.
ASTRA-1KR is the third of a planned seven launches this year for Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems. EchoStar X was successfully launched in mid-February and JCSAT-9 was successfully launched on April 12.
A Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 rocket (AV-008) will launch from SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, at 20:27-23:16 GMT (4:27-7:16 p.m. EDT) April 20th, carrying the ASTRA 1KR television broadcasting spacecraft for SES ASTRA of Luxembourg.
The A2100AX model satellite will join a fleet of orbiting ASTRA craft transmitting programming to the leading direct-to-home satellite system in Europe. The rocket will fly in the 411 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, one strap-on solid rocket booster and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. The satellite was moved from Ariane 5 to Proton, then to Atlas.
Atlas V, 411 configuration, designated AV-008
* 4-meter diameter (13.75 ft) payload fairing, 12.9 m/42.3 ft long * 1 strap-on solid rocket booster, built by Aerojet, Sacramento, California. * Single-engine Lockheed Martin Centaur upper stage * RD-180 main engine, from Pratt & Whitney/Energomash * Weight at lift-off: 386,818 kg (852,788 lbs) with payload
Atlas V will place ASTRA 1KR into orbit with a geosynchronous transfer orbit mission design, using a subsynchronous trajectory with two Centaur burn phases. The satellite's own attitude and orbital control system will perform a series of burns to lower apogee and raise perigee to geosynchronous altitude, circularise orbit and reduce inclination.
Spacecraft Separation will occur about 1 hour 48 minutes after lift-off
Orbital Parameters: Separation Apogee Altitude: 35,786 km Perigee Altitude: 6,212 km Inclination: 23.97 deg
