Astra 2E satellite. Photo: SES

[Via Satellite 02-04-2014] SES has announced that its Astra 2E satellite entered commercial service in the orbital arc of 28.2/28.5 degrees east on Feb. 1, after being launched aboard the ILS Proton vehicle on Sept. 30, 2013. The four-month testing period shows that the satellite is now fully operational and performing well.

The Astra 2E is co-positioned with the Astra 2A, 2F and 1N, where it will take over transmission for BSkyB, Channel4, ITV and BBC programming to the British Isles.

Astra 2E was built by Astrium based on the Eurostar E3000 platform. The satellite carries 60 Ku-band transponders, including 12 incremental transponders for delivery of services outside Europe, as well as four Ka-band transponders.