ASTRA 1F (23842)

COSPAR: 1996-021A | Alt Name: Astra 1F

Image
ASTRA 1F Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

April 8, 1996

Launch Pad

LC81/23

Launch Vehicle

Proton-K/DM-2M

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

23842

International Designator

1996-021A

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:37:48 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

5.46°

Right Ascension

73.67°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

102.35°

Period

1452.77 min

Mean Motion

0.99 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

ASTRA 1F

Alternative Name

Astra 1F

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

SES

Country

Luxembourg

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 23842U 96021A   26184.94292769  .00000012  00000-0  00000-0 0  9999
2 23842   5.4632  73.6699 0003105 102.3469 115.0621  0.99120777 52268

Source: Celestrak

Summary
ASTRA 1F is a communication satellite (Direct Broadcasting) with a NORAD catalog ID of 23842 and an object ID of 1996-021A. It was launched on April 8, 1996, from the TYMSC launch site using a Proton-K/DM-2M launch vehicle. The satellite has dimensions of 4 meters in length, 3 meters in diameter, and a span of 26 meters. Its dry mass is 1,600 kilograms with a total launch mass of 3,010 kilograms. Equipped with 24 Ku-band transponders (#1E) and 30 Ku-band transponders (#1F), it uses two deployable solar arrays for power generation along with batteries. Manufactured by HSES, the satellite's design is based on the HS-601 bus configuration. It was owned by SES and stabilized in orbit one day after launch on April 9, 1996. The mission of ASTRA 1F aimed to provide communication services for direct broadcasting with an expected lifetime of 15 years.
Physical Characteristics

Length

4

Diameter

3

Span

26

Dry Mass

1600

Launch Mass

3010

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

3.3814

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Astra 1F

Purpose

Communication (Direct Broadcasting)

Mission

Communication (Direct Broadcasting)

Manufacturer

HSES

Life Expectancy

15 years

Bus

HS-601

Configuration

HS-601

Motor

R-4D-11-300

Equipment

24 Ku-band transponders (#1E); 30 Ku-band transponders (#1F)

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.

Largest Satellite Debris Events

Largest Satellite Debris Events

Space debris poses a mounting threat to both satellites and space missions. As we send more objects into orbit, the likelihood of collisions and subsequent breakups producing dangerous space debris increases. Recognizing the major events that have generated this dangerous space junk is pivotal in ensuring the safety of future space missions.

Space Brief 13 Dec 2025

Space Brief 13 Dec 2025

Today's briefing covers a new naming system by Space Force, China's space advances, drone defense at Cape Canaveral, and more military updates impacting space operations.

X Report 6 Mar 2025

X Report 6 Mar 2025

Starship Flight 8 set for launch, new milestones in the defense sector, and launch updates dominate today's news.

X Report 6 Apr 2025

X Report 6 Apr 2025

SpaceX's Fram2 mission lands in the Pacific, SpaceX secures U.S. military contracts, and Starlink expands with latest satellite launch.

The Day the Dyna-Soar Dream Died

The Day the Dyna-Soar Dream Died

Exactly 62 years ago, Defense Secretary Robert McNamara ended the X-20 Dyna-Soar program, canceling one of the most ambitious spaceplane projects of the early Space Race - a vehicle that could have put aircraft in orbit decades before the Space Shuttle.

Space Brief 21 May 2025

Space Brief 21 May 2025

Today's Space Brief covers significant events including a high-stakes missile defense program, recent Chinese satellite launches, military defense initiatives, and key profiles in defense leadership.

ESA-China SMILE Mission Reaches Orbit After 10-Year Push | KeepTrack Space Brief

ESA-China SMILE Mission Reaches Orbit After 10-Year Push | KeepTrack Space Brief

ESA-China SMILE spacecraft successfully launched from Kourou to image Earth's magnetosphere. First continuous global views of solar wind interaction now in orbit.

Space Brief 31 Jan 2025

Space Brief 31 Jan 2025

Today's brief covers advancements in satellite technology initiatives by the U.S. Space Force, geopolitical implications in maritime domains, and Sweden's significant military aid package. Additionally, we spotlight a historical satellite with modern implications.