# Astra 1B

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q446714](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q446714)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astra_1B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/astra-1b

## Summary
Astra 1B is a communications satellite operated by SES S.A. Launched on March 2, 1991, it was deployed into geostationary orbit using an Ariane 44LP rocket. The satellite is identified by the COSPAR ID 1991-015A and the Satellite Catalog Number 21139.

## Key Facts
- **Operator:** SES S.A.
- **Launch Date:** March 2, 1991
- **Launch Vehicle:** Ariane 44LP
- **Launch Site:** ELA-2
- **COSPAR ID:** 1991-015A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 21139
- **Classification:** Communications satellite
- **Orbit Type:** Geostationary orbit
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch (March 2, 1991)

## FAQs
### Q: Who owns and operates Astra 1B?
A: Astra 1B is operated by SES S.A., a major satellite operator.

### Q: When was Astra 1B launched?
A: The satellite was launched on March 2, 1991.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Astra 1B?
A: Astra 1B was launched using an Ariane 44LP rocket, a variant of the Ariane 4 series.

### Q: Where is Astra 1B located?
A: Astra 1B resides in geostationary orbit.

## Why It Matters
Astra 1B serves as a key component in the infrastructure of global telecommunications. As an artificial satellite designed for telecommunications, it facilitates the relay of signals across vast distances, contributing to the network capabilities operated by SES S.A. Its successful deployment via the Ariane 44LP launch vehicle marks it as a specific instance of the Ariane 4 program's mission history. The satellite's placement in geostationary orbit allows it to maintain a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface, a critical requirement for stable communications coverage.

## Notable For
- Being a dedicated communications satellite platform.
- Operation by SES S.A., a prominent entity in the satellite industry.
- Utilization of the Ariane 44LP rocket configuration for its deployment.
- Launch from the ELA-2 (Ensemble de Lancement 2) site.
- Presence in Wikipedia across six language versions (German, English, Hungarian, Portuguese, Russian, Ukrainian).

## Body

### Mission and Operation
Astra 1B functions as a communications satellite, a class of artificial satellite specifically engineered for telecommunications relay. The spacecraft is managed and operated by SES S.A. It operates from a geostationary orbit, which allows it to match the Earth's rotation and stay fixed over a specific point on the equator.

### Launch Specifications
The satellite was delivered to orbit on March 2, 1991. The launch was facilitated by an Ariane 44LP rocket, a model within the Ariane 4 series. The launch event took place at the ELA-2 launch complex. This specific mission is recorded as a significant event in the satellite's operational timeline.

### Technical Identifiers
Astra 1B is tracked and cataloged in international space registries under specific identifiers. Its Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) is 21139. Additionally, it carries the COSPAR ID 1991-015A. In Wolfram Language computational systems, the entity is coded as `Entity["Satellite", "21139"]`. The Freebase identifier for the entity is `/m/07sbnk`.

## References

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