The craft launched to 3.4° east for testing, before moving to Astra 19.2°E, where it replaced Astra 1B, which was effectively decommissioned, and Astra 1C, which was then elderly and running beneath full capacity. It was expected to also replace Astra 2C, which was under-utilised, and to allow that satellite to return to Astra 28.2°E to join 2A/2B/2D to provide additional capacity. However, SES stated that Astra 1L would replace Astra 2C.[3]