SES has revealed that it has successfully launched its ASTRA 2E satellite on an ILS Proton Breeze M booster in Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Following lift off at 3.38 am Baikonur time, the Breeze M upper stage of the proton rocket successfully released the ASTRA 2E satellite directly into orbit.
The satellite was designed for SES by Astrium of France based on the Eurostar E3000 platform.
SES aims to provide broadcast and broadband services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa following the launch of its satellite, SES said.
“We would like to thank Astrium and ILS for the successful ASTRA 2E mission. The 54th satellite in SES’ global fleet provides significant capacity expansion at a strategic orbital neighborhood over Europe," said Romain Bausch, President and CEO of SES.
“In combination with ASTRA 2F which was launched in September 2012, and the upcoming ASTRA 2G due for launch next year, ASTRA 2E is an important part of our fleet renewal programme at the 28.2/28.5 degrees orbital arc," Bausch added.
“The state-of-the-art new satellites provide more focused and higher power to our broadcast customers, while the Ka-band on board supports the delivery of next-generation satellite broadband services.”
