The process aimed at the progression of an astrocyte that resides in the forebrain, from initial commitment of the cell to its fate, to the fully functional differentiated cell. An astrocyte is the most abundant type of glial cell. Astrocytes provide support for neurons and regulate the environment in which they function. [ GOC:dgh http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/go/references/0000021 GOC:dph GOC:cls GOC:jid ]