ASTRA 1B (21139)

COSPAR: 1991-015A | Alt Name: Astra 1B

Image
ASTRA 1B Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

March 2, 1991

Launch Site

FRGUI

Launch Pad

ELA2

Launch Vehicle

Ariane 44LP

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

21139

International Designator

1991-015A

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:04:25 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

13.39°

Right Ascension

22.10°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

13.74°

Period

1461.74 min

Mean Motion

0.99 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

ASTRA 1B

Alternative Name

Astra 1B

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

SES

Country

Luxembourg

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 21139U 91015A   26184.91973838 -.00000239  00000-0  00000-0 0  9996
2 21139  13.3879  22.0955 0008533  13.7419   7.6102  0.98512664116450

Source: Celestrak

Summary
ASTRA 1B (OBJECT_ID: 1991-015A) is a communication satellite designed for direct broadcasting purposes and was launched on March 2, 1991, from the Guiana Space Centre’s ELA2 launch pad using an Ariane 44LP vehicle. It has dimensions of 2.9 meters in length, 2.2 meters in diameter, and a span of 24.4 meters, with a dry mass of 1,177 kilograms and was manufactured by GEEW for the owner SES. The satellite is equipped with 16 (+6) Ku-band transponders and powered by two deployable solar arrays along with batteries. Its structure consists of a box shape with two panels (SHAPE: Box + 2 Pan), and it has a surface area of 8.6808 square meters (RCS). The satellite's propulsion system includes two Leros 1 motors, and its design life expectancy is 12 years.
Physical Characteristics

Length

2.9

Diameter

2.2

Span

24.4

Dry Mass

1177

Launch Mass

2580

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

8.6808

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Astra 1B

Purpose

Communication (Direct Broadcasting)

Mission

Communication (Direct Broadcasting)

Manufacturer

GEEW

Life Expectancy

12 years

Bus

AS5000

Configuration

AS-5000

Motor

2x Leros 1

Equipment

16 (+6) Ku-band transponders

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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