Astra 1B satellite (contractor model)
| Exhibit |
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Astra 1B satellite (contractor model) |
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| location: |
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Arch One , Area 71 1991 |
A model of the Astra 1B satellite (the second Astra satellite and the second satellite to carry STN satellite television broadcasts to the UK), presented to one of the contracting companies at around the time of its launch.
The original satellite
Astra 1B, while again built by GE Astro Space, had a different design to 1A, and was purchased from a defunct "Direct Broadcasting System" company while still under construction, and launched by by SES (Société Européenne des Satellites) on 2nd March 1991, using an Ariane 4 rocket. It was intended to broadcast to the UK, Ireland and Germany, and started transmitting commercial content in May 1991.
2024: Donation
The model was donated to the Museum by Geraldine Banks on 12th November 2024.
