The Astra 1G satellite has reached the new orbital position of 23.5 degrees and taken up service. The bird was moved from its original position at 19.2 degrees East and will replace Astra 1E.
The satellite, which was launched in 1997, has 19 active transponders and a better footprint than its predecessor, especially in Southern Europe. This is good news for Dutch expat viewers, because the various thematic, regional and HD bouquets of Canal Digitaal and TV Vlaanderen will move to 1G.