SES Astra has announced that its Astra 1KR satellite is operational. The satellite, launched in April aboard an Atlas 5 rocket, is located at 19.2 degrees East and carries 32 Ku-band transponders that will be used to broadcast direct-to-home TV services across Europe and into Eastern Europe.

Astra 1KR will replace the Astra 1B and Astra 1C satellites. Astra 1B has reached the end of its service life and will be deorbited within the coming weeks, SES Astra said.