Astra 2A was launched in 1998, it has two spotbeams, both of which transmit on horizontal and vertical polarisation, "2A North" and "2A South". The South beam covers almost all of Europe, with the North beam covering only Northern Europe at a high power.The body-stabilized Boeing 601 satellite is the best-selling large spacecraft model in the world. Eighty-one orders for the spacecraft had been received by January 2002.The satellite has an expected lifespan of 15 years.

Astra 2B (No longer in service at 28.2° East)

Astra 2B is no longer in service at 28.2° East. All channels from Astra 2B have been transfered to the pan-European spotbeam of Astra 1N, until Astra 2E enters service later in the year.

Astra 2D (No longer in service at 28.2° East)

Astra 2D was launched from the Guiana Space Centre in December 2000. Astra 2D, was the first spin-stabilized satellite in the SES fleet, is a Boeing 376HP, for high-power, satellite..The Boeing 376 is one of the most popular spacecraft models. The satellite has an expected lifespan of 12 years. Astra 2D was the most difficult of the three to receive outside the British Isles, due to it's single UK spotbeam. Weak reception had been a problem for many overseas viewers for many years.All frequencies from Astra 2D have been currently transfered to Astra 1N, soon to be moved to Astra 2F. The New SatellitesIn November 2009, Astrium was selected by SES to deliver three new communications satellites for it's satellite position at 28.2° east. The satellites, to be designated Astra 2E, Astra 2F, and Astra 2G, are scheduled for launch between 2012 and 2014. These satellites will be built on a Eurostar E3000 platform (the same model as Astra 1N), the latest version of Astrium’s Eurostar series which has proven to be highly reliable in commercial service. The design life of each satellite is 15 years.Astra 2E, Astra 2F and Astra 2G will serve to deliver next generation broadcast, VSAT and broadband services in Europe and Africa, and will carry Ku-and Ka-band payloads at 28.2° east.Astra 2E, 2F and 2G will each have 55 Ku-band transponders at 130W RF power, they will have three deployable antennas with diameter up to 2.6m and one top-floor steerable 1.3m antenna.The three antennas will be used for the three spotbeams, two pan-european and one UK spotbeam.Astra 2EThe Astra 2E satellite is due to launch in 2013 and will be located at 28.2° east.Astra 2E will serve to deliver next generation broadcast, VSAT and broadband services in Europe and Africa, and will carry Ku-and Ka-band payloads at 28.2° East. The Ku-band capacity will allow SES ASTRA to enhance and secure its existing offering to major Direct-to-Home (DTH) markets in the UK and Ireland. With a Ku-band payload specifically designed to meet the requirements of some of Europe’s largest DTH broadcasters, the satellites will have spot beam and pan-European beam switching capabilities to accommodate both pay-TV and free-to-air broadcasters, and to provide these customers with increased functionality.The BBC have confirmed their plans to move their services from Astra 1N to Astra 2E in 2013.The overspill of the BBC’s services will be reduced so viewers outside the UK will find it even harder to receive them. Astra 2E will have the same UK footprint as Astra 2F, so if you can currently view channels from Astra 2F, there should be no problems receiving Astra 2E.In February 2012, SES retired Astra 2D and BBC services moved to a new temporary home on Astra 1N. Astra 1N is due to take up its permanent position in 2013 (19°East), so the BBC’s services will move to their new permanent home on Astra 2E (28.2°East) when that becomes operational. SES expects Astra 2E to launch on July 2 2013, the BBC expect to move their services to Astra 2E during September of 2013.The move of BBC services from 1N to their new permanent homes will have no impact on UK households. Astra 2E and 2F have the same, tighter though slightly more powerful UK spot beams which means that UK households should get a slightly stronger signal. So if you happened to be on the edge of coverage, you will hopefully get more reliable reception.See Astra 2F The Astra 2F satellite has now entered service at 28.2° East, transponders 57, 59, 61, 63 and 68 are active on Astra 2F.Transponders on Astra 2F Transponder 57, 10.964 H, 22000, 5/6, DVB-S/MPEG-2, (Channel 5 (regions 1-5) 5 USA, 5 USA+1, 5*, 5*+1 and Channel 5 +1)Transponder 59, 10.994 H, 22000, 5/6, DVB-S/MPEG-2, (ITV1 regions)Transponder 61, 11.023 H, 23000, 2/3, DVB-S2/8PSK, (BBC DSAT 8, BBC One HD)Transponder 63, 11.053 H, 22000, 5/6, DVB-S/MPEG-2, (ITV1 regions and ITV1 Granada HD)Transponder 68, 11.126 V, 22000, 5/6 DVB-S/QPSK, (Channel 4 HD and 4Seven)All transponders will be on the UK Spotbeam.See Astra 2GThe Astra 2G satellite is due to launch early in 2014 and will be located at 28.2° east.Astra 2G will serve to deliver next generation broadcast, VSAT and broadband services in Europe and Africa, and will carry Ku-and Ka-band payloads at 28.2° East. The Ku-band capacity will allow SES ASTRA to enhance and secure its existing offering to major Direct-to-Home (DTH) markets in the UK and Ireland. With a Ku-band payload specifically designed to meet the requirements of some of Europe’s largest DTH broadcasters, the satellites will have spot beam and pan-European beam switching capabilities to accommodate both pay-TV and free-to-air broadcasters, and to provide these customers with increased functionality.See