# Astra 1A

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q750238](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q750238)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astra_1A)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/astra-1a

## Summary
Astra 1A is a communications satellite manufactured by Lockheed Martin Space and operated by SES S.A. It was launched on 1988-12-11 by an Ariane 44LP rocket from launch complex ELA-2 and was placed into geostationary orbit (COSPAR ID 1988-109B).

## Key Facts
- Astra 1A is an instance of a communications satellite (artificial satellite designed for telecommunications).  
- Operator: SES S.A.  
- Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Space.  
- Launch date: 1988-12-11.  
- Launch vehicle: Ariane 44LP (a rocket in the Ariane 4 series).  
- Launch site / start point: ELA-2.  
- Orbit type / satellite_of: geostationary orbit.  
- COSPAR ID: 1988-109B.  
- Satellite catalog number (scn): 19688.  
- External identifiers: Freebase ID /m/07cndv; Wolfram Language entity code Entity["Satellite", "19688"].

## FAQs
### Q: What is Astra 1A?
A: Astra 1A is a communications satellite designed for telecommunications. It was built by Lockheed Martin Space and operated by SES S.A.

### Q: When and how was Astra 1A launched?
A: Astra 1A was launched on 1988-12-11 by an Ariane 44LP rocket from the ELA-2 launch complex. The launch is recorded under COSPAR ID 1988-109B.

### Q: Where does Astra 1A operate?
A: Astra 1A was placed into geostationary orbit, which enables continuous presence over a fixed longitude for telecommunications services.

## Why It Matters
Astra 1A is a purpose-built communications satellite contributing to telecommunications infrastructure by occupying geostationary orbit, a key orbital regime for providing continuous satellite services to a fixed ground area. As a Lockheed Martin Space-built vehicle operated by SES S.A., Astra 1A represents an element of commercial satellite deployment strategy in the late 1980s, launched on an Ariane 44LP from ELA-2. Its identifiers (COSPAR ID 1988-109B and satellite catalog number 19688) tie it into international satellite registry systems used for tracking, coordination, and historical record. The satellite’s deployment illustrates the collaboration between satellite manufacturers, commercial operators, and launch providers to place telecommunications assets into geostationary orbit, enabling long-duration services that depend on a stable orbital position.

## Notable For
- Being manufactured by Lockheed Martin Space and operated by SES S.A., linking major industrial and commercial satellite actors.  
- Launch date of 1988-12-11, marking its entry into service in the late 1980s.  
- Launch on an Ariane 44LP rocket from ELA-2, using a member of the Ariane 4 launch vehicle family.  
- Placement into geostationary orbit, allowing continuous coverage from a fixed orbital longitude.  
- Registered international identifiers: COSPAR ID 1988-109B and satellite catalog number 19688.

## Body

### Overview
- Name / alias: Astra 1A.  
- Instance of: communications satellite (artificial satellite designed for telecommunications).  
- Operator: SES S.A.  
- Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Space.  
- Primary mission role: telecommunications via placement in geostationary orbit.

### Launch and deployment
- Launch date: 1988-12-11.  
- Launch vehicle: Ariane 44LP (a rocket in the Ariane 4 series).  
- Launch site / start point: ELA-2.  
- Significant event recorded: rocket launch from ELA-2 on 1988-12-11.

### Orbit and identifiers
- Orbit type: geostationary orbit (satellite_of).  
- COSPAR ID: 1988-109B.  
- Satellite catalog number (scn): 19688.  
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "19688"].  
- Freebase ID: /m/07cndv.

### Classification and references
- Classified as a communications satellite.  
- Operator reference: SES S.A.  
- Launch and significant event references indicate the Ariane 44LP launch from ELA-2 on 1988-12-11.

### Documentation and language presence
- Wikipedia title: Astra 1A.  
- Available Wikipedia language pages: de, en, hu, it, pl, pt, ru, sv, uk.  
- Sitelink count: 9.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013