PAD81/23 (81L)
SITEBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan →ORBITGeostationary Orbit
TYPECommunications
MISSION OVERVIEW
Astra 1F was the first western satellite launched on a Proton-K Blok-DM3 rocket, on April 9, 1996.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Proton-K/DM-2MMISSION
Astra 1F
MISSION TYPE
Communications
TARGET ORBIT
Geostationary Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
81/23 (81L)LAUNCH SITE
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of KazakhstanCOUNTRY
RUS
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 5070daa6-e49a-4879-9ac8-0b03932ca90d
Reported date: Apr 8, 1996 at 23:09 UTC
Last synced: 17 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Proton-K/DM-2M →
MANUFACTURER
Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
VARIANT
DM-2M
FLIGHTS
41
SUCCESSES
39
SUCCESS RATE
95.1%
The Proton-K was a Russian, previously Soviet, carrier rocket derived from the earlier Proton. It was built by Khrunichev, and launched from sites 81 and 200 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Proton-K/DM-2M | Astra 1F launch?
The Proton-K/DM-2M | Astra 1F is scheduled for Monday, April 8, 1996 at 11:09 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Astra 1F?
The Proton-K/DM-2M | Astra 1F mission uses the Proton-K/DM-2M rocket, manufactured by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. The Proton-K/DM-2M has flown 41 times with a 95.1% success rate.
Where is the Proton-K/DM-2M | Astra 1F launching from?
The launch takes place from 81/23 (81L) at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan.
What orbit is Astra 1F going to?
The Astra 1F mission is targeting Geostationary Orbit.
Who is launching Astra 1F?
The Proton-K/DM-2M | Astra 1F is operated by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center.
Can I watch the Proton-K/DM-2M | Astra 1F launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch date set: Apr 8, 1996 at 23:09 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 17 minutes ago
●Launch Library 217 minutes ago
Launch ID: 5070daa6-e49a-4879-9ac8-0b03932ca90d
●Open-Meteo Weather22 hours ago
Pad weather at 46.07, 62.98
BROWSE BY
Mission Profile
Astra 1F was a Proton-K/DM-2M mission operated by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center that lifted off from 81/23 (81L), Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan on April 8, 1996. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Geostationary Orbit. The launch was a success.