An Atlas 5 rocket lofted the Astra 1KR communications satellite into orbit April 20, International Launch Services (ILS) and Lockheed Martin announced.

The mission, the first launch of an SES Astra satellite by ILS, originated from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. The spacecraft initially was set for launch aboard an Ariane 5 rocket but was moved to a Russian Proton before being switched again to an Atlas 5. ILS is a U.S.-Russian joint venture that markets launches aboard both the Atlas 5 and Proton vehicles.

Astra 1KR, built by Lockheed Martin, will join seven Astra satellites co-positioned at 19.2 degrees East and will operate as a replacement satellite for existing capacity at this position, allowing SES Astra to redeploy some of its resources. The spacecraft carried 32 Ku-band transponders and will provide direct-to-home broadcast services across Europe.

“Astra 1KR will benefit our customers, further strengthen our unique inter-satellite backup scheme and provide important replacement capacity for our Astra 1B and Astra 1C satellites,” Ferdinand Kayser, president and CEO of SES Astra, said in a statement.