# Astra 1F

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q750253](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q750253)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astra_1F)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/astra-1f

## Summary
Astra 1F is a communications satellite launched on April 8, 1996. It was deployed into geostationary orbit using a Proton-K rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Communications satellite (artificial satellite designed for telecommunications).
- **Launch Date:** April 8, 1996.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Proton-K (Russian/Soviet carrier rocket).
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23.
- **Upper Stage:** Blok DM-2M (used as a space tug).
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1996-021A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 23842.
- **Aliases:** Астра 1F (спутник).

## FAQs
### Q: When was Astra 1F launched?
A: Astra 1F was launched on April 8, 1996.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Astra 1F?
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Proton-K rocket, which utilized a Blok DM-2M space tug.

### Q: Where did the launch of Astra 1F take place?
A: The launch occurred at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, specifically from Site 81/23.

## Why It Matters
Astra 1F serves as a key example of commercial telecommunications infrastructure deployed in the mid-1990s. As a satellite positioned in geostationary orbit, it was designed to facilitate long-distance telecommunications, representing the era's reliance on space-based assets for global connectivity. The mission is historically significant for its use of the Proton-K launch vehicle, a heavy-lift rocket originally developed by the Soviet Union and utilized by Russia for commercial and government payloads.

The selection of Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23 for the launch highlights the ongoing importance of this historic spaceport for international satellite deployments. Furthermore, the specific configuration of the launch—utilizing a Blok DM-2M upper stage as a space tug—demonstrates the complex orbital insertion techniques required to place heavy communications payloads into precise geostationary positions.

## Notable For
- Being a specialized communications satellite designed for geostationary orbit.
- Launching aboard a Proton-K rocket, a prominent Russian launch system.
- Utilizing the Blok DM-2M space tug for final orbital insertion.
- Having a multilingual presence on Wikipedia (available in German, English, Hungarian, Portuguese, Russian, Tatar, and Ukrainian).
- Being tracked under the specific international identifier COSPAR 1996-021A.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
Astra 1F was successfully launched on April 8, 1996. The mission utilized a Proton-K carrier rocket, a system previously used by the Soviet Union and continued by Russia. The launch originated from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23. To achieve its final trajectory, the launch sequence included a Blok DM-2M space tug, which aided in the satellite's insertion into orbit.

### Orbital and Technical Identity
The satellite is officially classified as an artificial satellite designed for telecommunications. It operates within a geostationary orbit, which allows it to maintain a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface.
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1996-021A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** 23842
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "23842"]

### Nomenclature and Records
The satellite is referenced in academic and public databases under various titles, including the alias "Астра 1F (спутник)." It is indexed in the Google Knowledge Graph with the ID `/g/120scylh`. The entity has significant cross-referencing in knowledge bases, evidenced by sitelinks across seven different language editions of Wikipedia.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report