[Satellite TODAY 10-25-11] FSS operator SES’ new Astra 1N satellite has entered commercial service at the orbital position of 28.2 degrees East, the company confirmed Oct. 24.

   The satellite was built by Astrium based on the Eurostar E3000 platform and is equipped with 52 transponders in the Ku frequency band. Arianespace successfully launched Astra 1N onboard an Ariane 5 rocket in August. The satellite is the fourth Eurostar spacecraft in the 49 satellite-strong SES fleet.

   “Astra 1N greatly enhances the flexibility of the SES satellite fleet at the orbital slot 28.2 degrees East over Europe. [The satellite] is notably being used by Channel 4 and ITV. The new satellite will also allow SES to offer the satellite-based broadband service Astra2Connect via 28.2 degrees East and thus complement its service offer from the 23.5 degrees East position,” SES said in a company statement.

   The Astra2Connect satellite broadband network serves more than 80,000 end users in Europe.