NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Astra 5B & Amazonas 4A

Launch Time
Sat Mar 22, 2014 22:04 UTC

Flight VA218.

Rocket

Ariane 5 ECA
Image Credit: Arianespace
Arianespace
Status: Retired
Price: $200.0 million
Liftoff Thrust: 15,120 kN
Payload to LEO: 21,000 kg
Payload to GTO: 10,500 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 2
Rocket Height: 53.0 m
Fairing Diameter: 5.4 m
Fairing Height: 17.0 m

Mission Details

Astra 5B

Astra 5B is one of the Astra communications satellites owned and operated by SES. It was launched as SES' 56th satellite in March 2014, to the newest of the Astra orbital positions for direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV, at 31.5°E for DTH, DTT, and cable use in Eastern Europe.

The satellite will replace the Astra 1G satellite currently at 31.5°E, which is itself filling in at that position after the loss of the Astra 5A satellite (originally called Sirius 2) in 2009. Astra 2C was first used at 31.5°E to replace Astra 5A, with Astra 1G positioned there in 2010.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 6,000.0 kg
Geostationary Transfer Orbit

Amazonas 4A

Amazonas 4A will enhance HISPASAT’s relay capacity over Latin America to provide an extended range of communications and television services. With a launch mass of 3,000 kg, Amazonas 4A has a design lifespan of 15 years.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 3,000.0 kg
Geostationary Transfer Orbit

Location

ELA-3, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France

Stats

2014

11th orbital launch attempt

Arianespace

212th mission
2nd mission of 2014
205th successful mission
68th consecutive successful mission

Ariane 5

73rd mission
2nd mission of 2014
69th successful mission
59th consecutive successful mission