# Astra 1K

> SES communications satellite incorrectly orbited due to a launch failure

**Wikidata**: [Q4811141](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4811141)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astra_1K)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/astra-1k

## Summary  
Astra 1K was a Luxembourg‑registered communications satellite built by Alcatel Space for SES Astra. Launched on 25 November 2002 on a Russian Proton‑K rocket, the satellite failed to reach its intended geostationary orbit, remained in low‑Earth orbit, and re‑entered the atmosphere over the Pacific on 10 December 2002.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 25 Nov 2002 23:04:23 UTC (Proton‑K 408‑02) from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23.  
- **Intended orbit:** Geostationary; **actual orbit:** Low‑Earth orbit (LEO).  
- **Mass at launch:** 5 250 kg (launch weight).  
- **Payload mass:** 680 kg.  
- **Operator:** SES Astra (Luxembourg).  
- **Manufacturer:** Alcatel Space (France).  
- **Spacecraft bus:** Spacebus‑3000B3S.  
- **COSPAR ID / Satellite catalog number:** 2002‑053A / 27557.  
- **Power system:** Two solar arrays delivering ~13 kW, supplemented by one S400 thruster and four SPT‑100 thrusters.  
- **Space tug:** Blok DM‑2M upper stage.  
- **Deorbit:** 10 Dec 2002, decayed over the Pacific Ocean.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was Astra 1K meant to do?  
A: Astra 1K was designed as a geostationary communications satellite for SES Astra, intended to provide television and data services from a fixed position over the equator.

### Q: Why did Astra 1K fail to reach geostationary orbit?  
A: The Proton‑K launch vehicle suffered a failure that left the satellite in an unintended low‑Earth orbit instead of the planned geostationary transfer orbit, preventing it from reaching its operational slot.

### Q: What happened to Astra 1K after the launch failure?  
A: Unable to maneuver to a higher orbit, Astra 1K’s orbit decayed rapidly, and the satellite re‑entered the atmosphere and was lost over the Pacific Ocean on 10 December 2002.

### Q: Who built and operated Astra 1K?  
A: The satellite was built by Alcatel Space in France and operated by SES Astra, a Luxembourg‑based satellite communications company.

### Q: How large was Astra 1K compared to other Astra satellites?  
A: At 5 250 kg launch mass, Astra 1K was one of the heaviest Astra‑series satellites, reflecting its high‑capacity communications payload.

## Why It Matters  
Astra 1K illustrates the high stakes of satellite launch operations and the cascading impacts of a launch failure on commercial communications infrastructure. As part of the Astra fleet—one of the world’s largest geostationary satellite constellations—its loss represented a significant financial setback for SES Astra and delayed planned service expansions. The incident also highlighted the technical challenges of using the Proton‑K launch vehicle for heavy payloads, prompting operators to reassess risk mitigation strategies and launch provider selection. Moreover, the rapid deorbit of a multi‑ton satellite underscored the importance of orbital debris management and the need for reliable upper‑stage performance to achieve intended orbits.

## Notable For  
- **Launch failure:** First Astra‑series satellite to be lost due to a launch vehicle malfunction.  
- **Incorrect orbit:** Intended for geostationary orbit but placed in low‑Earth orbit, an uncommon outcome for a communications satellite.  
- **Short lifespan:** Remained in orbit for only 15 days before re‑entry, one of the briefest operational periods for a satellite of its class.  
- **Heavy payload:** At 5 250 kg, it was among the most massive Astra satellites ever built, reflecting ambitious capacity goals.  
- **Dual‑power system:** Combined large solar arrays (≈13 kW) with both S400 and SPT‑100 thrusters for attitude and orbit control.

## Body  

### Overview  
Astra 1K was a **communications satellite** (instance of “communications satellite” and “former entity”) belonging to the **Astra** series operated by **SES Astra**. It was registered in **Luxembourg** with a country of origin listed as **France**.

### Design and Manufacture  
- **Manufacturer:** Alcatel Space.  
- **Spacecraft bus:** Spacebus‑3000B3S, a platform used for high‑capacity payloads.  
- **Mass:** 5 250 kg at launch (launch weight).  
- **Payload:** 680 kg of communications equipment.  

### Power and Propulsion  
- **Solar arrays:** Two arrays delivering a combined power of about **13 kW** (qualifier P2109).  
- **Thrusters:**  
  - One **S400** thruster (qualifier P1114 = 1).  
  - Four **SPT‑100** thrusters (qualifier P1114 = 4).  
- **Space tug:** The upper stage **Blok DM‑2M** provided the final boost.

### Launch Details  
- **Vehicle:** Proton‑K (variant 408‑02) with a **Blok DM‑2M** upper stage.  
- **Date & Time:** 25 Nov 2002, 23:04:23 UTC.  
- **Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 81/23.  

### Intended vs. Actual Orbit  
- **Planned:** Geostationary orbit (expected).  
- **Result:** Low‑Earth orbit (actual), a direct consequence of the launch failure.  

### Failure and Decay  
- The launch failure prevented insertion into a geostationary transfer orbit.  
- Without sufficient propellant to raise its orbit, the satellite’s altitude decayed.  
- **Deorbit date:** 10 Dec 2002, with re‑entry over the **Pacific Ocean**.  

### Catalog Information  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2002‑053A.  
- **Satellite catalog number (NORAD):** 27557.  
- **Wikidata freebase ID:** /m/02vm1js.  

### Legacy  
Astra 1K’s brief existence serves as a case study in launch risk assessment and the importance of reliable upper‑stage performance for heavy communications payloads. Its loss prompted SES Astra to diversify launch providers and reinforced industry focus on contingency planning for satellite missions.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/astra-1k.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](http://www.tbs-satellite.com/tse/online/sat_astra_1k.html)
4. [Source](https://www.heavens-above.com/SatInfo.aspx?satid=27557)
5. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=27557)