Astra 1N Launched

A new satellite for the UK launched last night when Astra 1N was placed into orbit by Ariane Spaceflight 203, using an Ariane 5 rocket. The 45th consecutive successful Ariane 5 launch placed Astra 1N and Japan’s BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R into transfer orbits at 11.52pm BST.
Astra 1N, weighing 5,350kg and built on the EADS-Astrium Eurostar 3000 platform, was first into its geostationary transfer orbit.

Astra 1N will be positioned at 28.2 degrees East serving the UK and Ireland, alongside Astra 2A, 2B and 2D, for around two years, before moving to its permanent home at 19.2 degrees East.
It has 52 active Ku-band transponders and is deigned to stay in operation for at least 15 years.
The 2,910kg BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R was built by Lockheed Martin for the Japanese broadcasters B-SAT Corp and SKY Perfect JSAT Corp. Its 24 Ku-band transponders will be deployed at 110 degrees East.