# Astra 4A

> Swedish communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q750294](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q750294)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astra_4A)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/astra-4a

## Summary
Astra 4A is a Swedish communications satellite launched in 2007 to provide telecommunications services, including television broadcasting and broadband connectivity. It operates in geostationary orbit and was manufactured by Lockheed Martin, with a design life of 15 years. The satellite is also known as Sirius 4.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: November 17, 2007, at 22:39:47 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Proton-M (serial number 535-23) with a Briz-M upper stage.
- **Manufacturer**: Lockheed Martin (United States).
- **Operator**: SES Sirius (Sweden).
- **Mass**: 4,600 kg (launch weight).
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit at 31.5° East longitude.
- **Design Life**: 15 years.
- **Propulsion**: LEROS-1c engine and spacecraft solar arrays (2 panels).

## FAQs
### Q: When was Astra 4A launched?
A: Astra 4A was launched on November 17, 2007, at 22:39:47 UTC from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200.

### Q: What is the primary function of Astra 4A?
A: Astra 4A is a communications satellite designed to provide telecommunications services, including television broadcasting, broadband internet, and mobile communications, primarily covering Scandinavia, the Baltic region, and Eastern Europe.

### Q: Who manufactured and operates Astra 4A?
A: The satellite was manufactured by Lockheed Martin (United States) and operated by SES Sirius (Sweden).

## Why It Matters
Astra 4A plays a critical role in delivering telecommunications services to Northern and Eastern Europe. As a geostationary satellite, it provides continuous coverage of its designated region, supporting television broadcasts, broadband connectivity, and mobile communications. With a design life of 15 years, it ensures long-term reliability for service providers and end-users. The satellite’s high-power payload and strategic orbital position at 31.5° East enhance signal strength and accessibility, bridging connectivity gaps in remote and underserved areas. As part of the Astra satellite fleet, it contributes to the global infrastructure that underpins modern communication systems.

## Notable For
- **High-Power Payload**: Equipped with 24 Ku-band transponders and 2 deployable antennas for focused coverage of Scandinavia and the Baltic region.
- **Geostationary Position**: Operates at 31.5° East longitude, optimizing signal delivery to Northern and Eastern Europe.
- **A2100 Satellite Bus**: Utilizes Lockheed Martin’s A2100 spacecraft platform, known for its reliability and modular design.
- **Proton-M Launch**: Deployed via a Russian Proton-M rocket, a heavy-lift vehicle with a proven track record for geostationary satellite launches.

## Body
### Launch Details
Astra 4A was launched on November 17, 2007, at 22:39:47 UTC from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 in Kazakhstan. The launch vehicle was a Proton-M rocket (serial number 535-23) with a Briz-M upper stage, which placed the satellite into geostationary transfer orbit. The mission was managed by the Russian space agency Roscosmos.

### Technical Specifications
- **Satellite Bus**: Lockheed Martin A2100.
- **Propulsion**: LEROS-1c apogee engine and reaction wheels for attitude control.
- **Power**: 2 deployable solar arrays with gallium arsenide cells, generating 12 kW at end-of-life.
- **Payload**: 24 Ku-band transponders and 2 Gregorian antennas for high-power coverage.

### Mission & Operations
Astra 4A operates from a geostationary orbit at 31.5° East longitude, providing coverage across Scandinavia, the Baltic states, and Eastern Europe. Its primary services include direct-to-home (DTH) television, broadband internet, and mobile communications. The satellite’s design life of 15 years ensures extended operational capability, with propulsion systems designed for orbital station-keeping. Ownership and operation were initially under SES Sirius, later integrated into the SES S.A. fleet.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sirius-4.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://www.satbeams.com/satellites?norad=32299)