Successful Launch of ASTRA 1P Satellite by SES and SpaceX

Cape Canaveral, 20 June 2024 – SES announced today that the ASTRA 1P satellite was successfully launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, United States, at 5:35 pm local time.

Enhancing European TV Markets

The Ku-band satellite will augment and strengthen SES’s prime TV neighbourhood at 19.2 degrees East. It will deliver content for public and private broadcasters, sports organisations, and content owners to audiences across the largest European TV markets. ASTRA 1P will also ensure the delivery of premium HD content directly to subscribers of HD+, SES’s high-definition satellite TV platform in Germany.

Advanced Technology and Capabilities

Built by Thales Alenia Space, ASTRA 1P is based on the 100% electric Spacebus NEO platform. It features 80 transponders capable of delivering 500 HD TV channels. As the most powerful satellite to operate at 19.2 degrees East, it will will seamlessly replace the current four satellites at this orbital location, continuing their mission of serving 119 million TV households.

Continued Commitment to High-Quality Broadcasting

Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES, expressed his enthusiasm for the launch: “We are excited that ASTRA 1P will be joining our fleet of geostationary satellites, marking the next generation of satellites to operate at one of our most important orbital positions responsible for delivering content to hundreds of millions of viewers in Europe. Ever since the launch of ASTRA 1A in 1988, our satellites have played a pivotal role in reliably delivering high-quality content to viewers. We are well-positioned to continue supporting our broadcast customers for many years to come with ASTRA 1P.”

The satellite’s successful launch signifies a major milestone in SES’s efforts to enhance and expand its broadcasting capabilities, ensuring high-quality content delivery to European audiences.