ASTRA 3B (36581)

COSPAR: 2010-021A | Alt Name: Astra 3B

Image
ASTRA 3B Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

May 21, 2010

Launch Site

FRGUI

Launch Pad

ELA3

Launch Vehicle

Ariane 5ECA

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

36581

International Designator

2010-021A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:26:39 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

1.51°

Right Ascension

83.35°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

16.00°

Period

1436.09 min

Mean Motion

1.00 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 3B

Alternative Name

Astra 3B

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

SESSL

Country

United Kingdom

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 36581U 10021A   26185.22685071  .00000148  00000-0  00000-0 0  9993
2 36581   1.5128  83.3485 0004236  16.0029 288.0309  1.00271957 59035

Source: Celestrak

Summary
ASTRA 3B is a communication satellite launched on May 21, 2010, from Guiana Space Centre using an Ariane 5ECA launch vehicle. Manufactured by EADSB, the satellite measures 4.5 meters in length and has a diameter of 2.8 meters with a span of 39.8 meters. It is equipped with 52 Ku-Band transponders and 4 Ka-Band transponders for direct broadcasting purposes. The satellite's dry mass is 3000 kg, and it had an initial launch mass of 5471 kg. Power comes from two deployable solar arrays and batteries. Its mission has a planned lifetime of 15 years.
Physical Characteristics

Length

4.5

Diameter

2.8

Span

39.8

Dry Mass

3000

Launch Mass

5471

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

8.168

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Astra 3B

Purpose

Communication (Direct Broadcasting)

Mission

Communication (Direct Broadcasting)

Manufacturer

EADSB

Life Expectancy

15 years

Bus

Eurostar 3000M

Configuration

Eurostar-3000

Motor

R-4D-15

Equipment

52 transponders Ku-Band and 4 Ka-Band transponders

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
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