[Satellite Today 07-15-08] SES Astra awarded a contract to Astrium for the construction of the Astra 1N satellite, SES Astra announced July 15.   
    The satellite, based on a Eurostar E3000 platform, will carry 55 Ku-band transponders to serve the German, French and Spanish markets and provide customers with continuous operating and backup satellite capacity at this location.
“The procurement of Astra 1N represents another important step in our strategy to continuously invest in our core business, and reinforce the high performance and efficiency of our fleet,” Ferdinand Kayser, president and CEO of SES Astra, said in a statement. “With Astra 1N, we will have completed our comprehensive replacement program at our prime orbital position of 19.2 degrees East and fully renewed our fleet at that position, thereby maintaining during the next decade the very high quality customer service. This will also enable us to continue to respond to the strong demand for digital and high definition.”
    Astra 1N initially will replace the Astra 1G spacecraft, which will become available for use at other orbital positions within the fleet.
    The satellite is scheduled to be launched in 2011.