Astra 1D

Astra 1D is a geostationary communications satellite launched in 1994 by the Société Européenne des Satellites (SES). As of August 2012, the craft remains in service for occasional use. Astra 1D was the fourth, and under original plans, the final Astra communications satellite from SES. It was launched to SES' original solitary operational position at 19.2° east and was intended as an in-orbit spare for Astra's 1A, 1B, and 1C and to carry digital TV transmissions. However, development of digital reception equipment in Europe was not sufficiently advanced for Astra 1D to be SES' first digital satellite (the later Astra 1E fulfilled that role), and demand for additional capacity for both British and German television channels led to 12 of the satellite's transponders being leased to broadcast analogue TV channels before the satellite had been launched.