[Satellite Today 02-23-09] SES Astra has moved its Astra 1G satellite from 19.2 degrees East to 23.5 degrees East, the company announced Feb.19.
    The satellite joins Astra 3A and Astra 1E to serve Central Europe, the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) and German cable networks as well as offering high-speed broadband service Astra2Connect. Over the past years, SES Astra has developed 23.5 degrees East into a prime orbital position for DTH and broadband services in particular for Benelux, Czech Republic and Slovakia, which have generated strong demand on this orbital position. By the end of the year, the orbital position at 23.5 degrees East will be further strengthened by the launch of Astra 3B.
    The orbital switch follows the deployment of SES Astra’s Astra 1M, which replaces Astra 1G at 19.2 degrees East.