Astra 5B (now called Astra 3C) is one of the Astra communications satellites owned and operated by SES. It was launched as SES' 56th satellite in March 2014, to the newest of the Astra orbital positions for direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television, at 31.5° East[1] for DTH, DTT and cable use in Eastern Europe,.[2]
The satellite replaced the Astra 1G satellite at 31.5° East, which was itself filling in at that position after the loss of the Astra 5A satellite (originally called Sirius 2) in 2009,[3] Astra 2C was first used at 31.5° East to replace Astra 5A,[4] with Astra 1G positioned there in 2010.[5]