ASTRA 1D (23331)

COSPAR: 1994-070A | Alt Name: Astra 1D

Image
ASTRA 1D Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

November 1, 1994

Launch Site

FRGUI

Launch Pad

ELA2

Launch Vehicle

Ariane 42P

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

23331

International Designator

1994-070A

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:04:08 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

12.32°

Right Ascension

28.60°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

116.68°

Period

1455.26 min

Mean Motion

0.99 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

ASTRA 1D

Alternative Name

Astra 1D

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

SES

Country

Luxembourg

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 23331U 94070A   26184.96121443 -.00000211  00000-0  00000-0 0  9998
2 23331  12.3183  28.5997 0006619 116.6786 244.6444  0.98951158116113

Source: Celestrak

Summary
ASTRA 1D, also known as Astra 1D, is a communication satellite (Direct Broadcasting) operated by SES and manufactured by HSES. Launched on November 1, 1994, from the ELA2 launch pad at Guiana Space Center using an Ariane 42P launch vehicle, it was designed to have a lifetime of 12 years. The satellite has a length of 4.5 meters and a diameter of 2.8 meters with a span of 21 meters, equipped with 2 deployable solar arrays for power generation and batteries. Its dry mass is 1250 kg, while its launch mass was 2924 kg. ASTRA 1D carries 24 Ku-band transponders as part of its payload. The satellite's shape can be described as a box with two panels, and it has an RCS (Reflective Coefficient Surface) value of 61.3997. It was built for communication purposes using HS-601 bus configuration and technology.
Physical Characteristics

Length

4.5

Diameter

2.8

Span

21

Dry Mass

1250

Launch Mass

2924

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

61.3997

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Astra 1D

Purpose

Communication (Direct Broadcasting)

Mission

Communication (Direct Broadcasting)

Manufacturer

HSES

Life Expectancy

12 years

Bus

HS-601

Configuration

HS-601

Motor

R-4D-11-300

Equipment

24 Ku-band transponders

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
This tool will help you track the satellite's position and predict its upcoming passes over your location. Simply input the coordinates or click the geolocation button to get started.
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

X Report 11 Aug 2025

X Report 11 Aug 2025

Severe weather conditions disrupt the launch of Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellites, highlighting ongoing challenges in satellite deployment amidst increasing competition in the space industry.

Space Brief 25 Oct 2024

Space Brief 25 Oct 2024

Today's highlights include Crew-8's return amid weather delays, new space tourism announcements by Deep Blue Aerospace, and Europe's efforts to combat space debris. Plus, another successful SpaceX launch and the ESA backed Zero Debris Charter gains international traction.

X Report 26 Nov 2024

X Report 26 Nov 2024

SpaceX sets launch milestones with quick turnarounds and new Starlink deployments, while eyeing rapid Starship expansions next year.

Astroscale Taps Isar for ELSA-M Debris Mission | KeepTrack Space Brief

Astroscale Taps Isar for ELSA-M Debris Mission | KeepTrack Space Brief

Astroscale selects Isar Aerospace to launch ELSA-M, a commercial deorbit mission targeting defunct satellites in LEO. Over 20,000 trackable debris objects now in orbit.

Starship V3 Static Fire Ignites 33 Engines, X Report 15 Apr 2026

Starship V3 Static Fire Ignites 33 Engines, X Report 15 Apr 2026

SpaceX fired all 33 Raptor 3 engines in the Starship V3 static fire at Starbase, clearing Flight 12. Plus 1,000 Starlink satellites launched in 2026.

Space Brief 12 Aug 2025

Space Brief 12 Aug 2025

Today's brief covers a groundbreaking national security mission for ULA's Vulcan, NASA's collaboration with LeoLabs for enhanced collision avoidance, and SEOPS' new satellite tracking services, among other key developments.

Starcloud Files 88,000-Satellite Constellation Plan | KeepTrack Space Brief

Starcloud Files 88,000-Satellite Constellation Plan | KeepTrack Space Brief

Starcloud files FCC plans for 88,000-satellite orbital data center constellation, matching scale of Starlink and Amazon Kuiper expansions. Massive LEO conjunction risk implications.

X Report 20 May 2025

X Report 20 May 2025

SpaceX gears up for new Starlink shell deployment and secures updated licensing for Starship, amidst ongoing preparations for Falcon 9 launches.