When DFS Kopernikus-3 was nearing the end of its life, SES sealed an agreement with Deutsche Telekom to use the 23.5° East position and frequencies, and in August 2001, Astra 1D was moved there.
Deutsche Telekom contracted for 10 transponders on that craft and shortly switched over all traffic from DFS Kopernikus-3.
The flight dynamics operations (including re-location and proximity operations) for the DFS and TV-SAT satellites were taken over by the Deutsche Telekom Flight Dynamics Team at the Usingen Ground Station location.
A twin Flight Dynamics System was located at the Deutsche Telekom offices in Darmstadt.
The Flight Dynamics System used by Deutsche Telekom was designed and implemented by Telesat Canada.