Atlas V Astra launch planned Published April 18, 2006 SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- The Air Force’s 45th Space Wing will support the launch of an ASTRA European telecommunications satellite on an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla., April 20. The 45th Space Wing will provide range and launch base support to Lockheed Martin and International Launch Services, the commercial satellite and booster vehicle provider to the Astra Corporation. The launch vehicle will use one Centaur engine and will be the first Atlas V to fly with one solid rocket booster. It will carry a European TV satellite into orbit, that sponsors hope will be in full service for the World Cup of soccer next summer. Astra, a subsidiary of SES Global, is a corporation which owns and operates the Astra series of geostationary satellites. They transmit approximately 1,100 analog and digital television and radio channels via 176 transponders to 91 million households across Europe. (Information provided by the 45th Space Wing Public Affairs Office)