SES Astra has said the Astra 1L satellite will fly with the Ariane 5 rocket on May 3. It is the first time that the European spacecraft has been used since the launch of Astra 3A in March 2002. The launch will take place from the launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, close to Devil’s Island where Rene Belbenoit’s book Papillon is set.
Astra 1L, a Lockheed Martin A2100 AXS satellite, will be co-positioned at the 19 degrees East orbital slot that serves markets including France, Germany, Spain and Poland.