# Astra 2A

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q444582](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q444582)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astra_2A)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/astra-2a

## Summary
Astra 2A is a communications satellite launched on August 30, 1998, to provide telecommunications services from geostationary orbit. It was deployed using a Proton-K rocket with a Blok DM-2M upper stage and operated by SES S.A. The satellite played a key role in delivering television broadcasting and broadband connectivity across Europe.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 30, 1998
- **COSPAR ID**: 1998-050A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 25462
- **Launch Vehicle**: Proton-K rocket with Blok DM-2M space tug
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23
- **Orbit Type**: Geostationary orbit
- **Operator**: SES S.A.
- **Primary Function**: Television broadcasting and telecommunications services

## FAQs
### Q: When was Astra 2A launched?
A: Astra 2A was launched on August 30, 1998, aboard a Proton-K rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome.

### Q: What was the purpose of Astra 2A?
A: The satellite provided telecommunications services, including television broadcasting and broadband connectivity, primarily covering Europe.

### Q: Where is Astra 2A positioned?
A: It operates in geostationary orbit, maintaining a fixed position above the equator to ensure continuous coverage of its target region.

## Why It Matters
Astra 2A is significant as part of the Astra satellite constellation, which revolutionized telecommunications in Europe by enabling widespread access to digital television and broadband services. Its deployment in geostationary orbit allowed for stable and reliable signal transmission, supporting both consumer and enterprise communication needs. As one of the earliest satellites in the Astra fleet, it contributed to the growth of SES S.A. as a major global satellite operator and underscored the importance of space-based infrastructure in modern communication networks.

## Notable For
- **Launch Vehicle**: Utilized the Proton-K rocket with a Blok DM-2M upper stage, a reliable Soviet/Russian launch system.
- **Longevity**: Operated for over 20 years, exceeding its initial design lifespan.
- **Geostationary Positioning**: Maintained a fixed orbital slot critical for consistent broadcasting services.
- **Broadcasting Role**: Key contributor to the expansion of digital television across Europe in the late 1990s and 2000s.

## Body
### Launch Details
Astra 2A was launched on August 30, 1998, at 07:25:01 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23 in Kazakhstan. The Proton-K rocket (serial number 410-51) delivered the satellite to geostationary transfer orbit, with the Blok DM-2M upper stage completing the final insertion.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 3,250 kg at launch
- **Power**: 12 kW (end-of-life)
- **Transponders**: 32 Ku-band transponders
- **Design Life**: 12 years (exceeded in operation)

### Mission Purpose
Astra 2A was positioned at 28.2° East longitude, a strategic orbital slot for broadcasting to the United Kingdom and Europe. It supported direct-to-home (DTH) television, broadband internet, and corporate networking services, contributing to the digital media boom of the 2000s.

### Legacy
After transitioning to an inclined orbit in 2016, Astra 2A continued limited operations until its eventual decommissioning. Its extended service life demonstrated advancements in satellite technology and orbital maintenance practices. The satellite’s role in SES’s fleet highlighted the economic and cultural impact of satellite communications in connecting remote and metropolitan regions alike.

## References

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