An artist's concept of the JCSAT-8 satellite in space. Photo: Boeing

Two Boeing-built communications satellites launched together atop an Ariane 4 rocket in March have both entered service, officials announced Monday.

The JCSAT 8 spacecraft, built by Boeing Satellite Systems for JSAT Corp. of Tokyo, achieved a circular geostationary orbit 36,000 km above the equator where it was parked at 154 degrees East longitude.

At that vantage point, JSAT will use the satellite to provide television and other telecommunications services across the Asia-Pacific region. JSAT is the leading satellite operator in Asia and has a fleet of orbiting craft that serve a wide span of the globe from Pakistan to Hawaii.

JCSAT 8 is a Boeing 601-model satellite.

The spacecraft is also known as JCSAT 2A. It will become the successor to the aging JCSAT 2 spacecraft launched on December 31, 1989 aboard a commercial Titan 3 rocket from Cape Canaveral.

JSAT of Japan accepted JCSAT 8 on May 9. It is the seventh Boeing satellite to join the JSAT fleet and will provide service to Japan, East Asia, Oceania and Hawaii. The first Boeing-built JSAT satellite was launched in 1989.

An artist's concept of the Astra 3A satellite in space. Photo: Boeing

The Astra 3A spacecraft, a Boeing 376-model spacecraft, also ascended into geostationary orbit, ultimately reaching a spot at 23.5 degrees East longitude.

Built for Luxembourg-based SES Astra, the barrel-shaped satellite will be used to provide direct-to-home TV programming to subscribers of the Astra system.

The craft is destined to serve Germany, Austria and Switzerland, transmitting cable TV feeds and supporting broadband and Internet services. It will also provide follow-on capacity for Deutsche Telekom's Kopernikus satellite at the same orbital location.

SES of Luxembourg accepted the ASTRA 3A satellite on April 23. It is the 10th satellite Boeing has built for SES. The first Boeing-built satellite for SES was launched in 1993.

"Boeing has built a total of 10 satellites for SES and seven for JSAT, and combined, these outstanding spacecraft have provided more than 83 years of in-orbit service over a span of 22 years," said Randy Brinkley, president of Boeing Satellite Systems, the satellite operations arm of Boeing S&C. "These customers have repeatedly placed their faith and trust in Boeing, and we promise to keep delivering."