The satellite provided 16 transponders(+6 as rescue) and television coverage to Western Europe from 1989 to 2004.

TV3 and TV1000 left Astra in 1996 and their transponders were taken over by BSkyB who used them for Fox Kids/Sky Two and Granada Plus/Granada Men & Motors.

[5] In December 2004, Astra 1A was moved into a "graveyard orbit" after some time at 5.2° East providing data services.

As with all GE Astro Space manufactured satellites, the AS-4000 Ku-band satellite design was used for the spacecraft bus, propulsion, thermal protection and solar array, the thermal protection made to protect Astra 1A's 16 transponder payload on board from the Sun's solar wind and cosmic rays.

While never confirmed by SES, Astra 1A is believed to have experienced a number of technical problems throughout its lifetime, including overheating and power system anomalies.

[8] In mid-1999, the satellite experienced a loss of power which reduced its usable payload to 6 transponders.

[9] Documentation provided by SES since this event stated the usable payload as 5/6 transponders.