Rocket Ariane 5 brought satellite Astra 3B

Ariane 5 launcher has brought a minute after midnight on 22 May 2010 from Kourou spaceport in French Guiana, two satellites - Astra 3B and COMSATBw-2. It was already the 50th Start the launcher Ariane 5 Astra 3B is a telecommunications satellite for the Luxembourg satellite operator SES Astra and COMSATBw-2 secure military communications for Astrium GmbH for the Bundeswehr.






From these two satellites is for viewers in Europe and especially for the Benelux and the Czech and Slovak viewers most Astra 3B satellite. He will serve at 23.5 degrees east and becomes the engine of growth, one of the key positions in Europe, SES. It will transmit television and radio service stations in high definition (HDTV) and secure two-way communications capacity in the Ka band.

After a series of technical tests Astra 3B is moved to a target 23.5°E, which replaces space apparatuses Astra 1G and Astra 1E, then move to another position. Astra 3B-opening at 23.5 Wed East can be expected until at least 4 weeks.


Coverage of the Astra 3B
Astra 3B satellite will have a total of three volumes - cover regions: Europe, all of Europe and the Middle East. Of these three volumes are the first two cover the entire territory of the Czech Republic and Slovakia and will suffice for the reception dish of small size



Map 1 - Footprint Astra 3B, Volume Europe

The first map shows the coverage of harness Europe. Its shape and extent of territory covered by remotely reminiscent Footprint Astra 3A. This volume (beam) will be determined in the future as a substitute for operating services on ASTRA 3A, which still has more than two years of operation. With its wider beam transponder signal can be taken only in Central Europe, but also in Germany, Benelux, Switzerland, northern Italy, Austria, Hungary, partly in Romania, Ukraine, Lithuania and Latvia.



Map 2 - Footprint Astra 3B, bundle all of Europe

The second volume interesting for viewers in Europe, the pan will be expanded volume (all Europe), which will cover most of Europe, then North Africa, Middle East and the Canary Islands. Most of Europe would be enough of a parabola diameter of 60 cm. In North Africa, the antenna of a diameter of about 1.2 meters. The advantages of this volume will be opportunities to reach a larger area - new markets, and expand services into new markets.




Map No. 3 - Footprint Astra 3B, Volume Middle East

The last map shows the volume that you probably will not be able to take in Central Europe. Volume Middle East is routed to the area outside of Europe. It is possible that the signal will lalokům parabolas with large sizes available with us. This alliance intends to reach out to SES Astra, and in particular to enter new markets (Middle East) and partly to compete with services offered by the satellite operator Arabsat at a nearby position 26 ° E for the country arabskkého world.

It should be emphasized that orientation maps bring coverage. Individual maps are a measurement control zkorigovány satellite operators.


Frequency bands Astra 3B
11.45 to 11.70 GHz ... 12 transponders
11.70 to 12.10 GHz ... 20 transponders
12.10 to 12.50 GHz ... 20 transponders
12.50 to 12.75 GHz ... 12 transponders

Overall, the service can be up to 60 transponders in the band 11.45 to 12.75 GHz


Changes at 23.5°E: End of satellites, the movement of programs
After the start of commercial operation Astra 3B will be significant changes at 23.5 degrees east. In this position ceases to operate two older and outgoing ASTRA 1E and 1G Astra. Both left their position and Astra 1G apparently targeting the 31.5°E, which will replace Astra 2C. This can then return at 28.2°E. Astra 1E is long overdue to end its expected life. It is surprising that even after reaching the maximum life of the satellite is still able to provide distribution services.

End Astra 1E Astra 1G and at 23.5°E will also bring some changes in the distribution of programs, which will also affect the Czech and Slovak market. Astra 3B will have an operating frequency range from 11.45 to 12.75 GHz. Czech music and lifestyle TV Ocko and special programming circuit Czech TV High Definition TV HD, therefore, must change their frequencies - has to be sharp. Ocko this process has already begun on 01 March 2010 and sends the new frequency of 12.168 GHz, pol. V, which contained even a transponder frequency plan for the Astra 3B. Realignment now taking place even in HD TV, which appeared on the frequency 11.973 GHz, pol. V, SR 27500, FEC 5/6 DVB-S.

Other changes will also affect satellite DTH platform CS Link and Skylink. Transponders with a frequency:

* 11.797 GHz, horizontal polarization
* 11.876 GHz, horizontal polarization
* 11.992 GHz, horizontal polarization
* 12.070 GHz, horizontal polarization
* 12.110 GHz, horizontal polarization

and transponders, which are also programs for CZ/SK Market:

* 11.856 GHz, vertical polarization (Canal Digitaal - BravaHDTV, Discovery HD Showcase)
* 11.914 GHz, horizontal polarization (SD History)
* 12.168 GHz, vertical polarization (Ocko TV)

will be moved to the Astra 3B satellite. All of these transponders should use the pan volume (unless decided otherwise). It will mean a substantial extension of coverage and platform CS Link Skylink throughout Europe and the possibility of income to parabolic small-scale traveling around Europe.

Movements of the Astra 3B will affect all services that are currently broadcast on Astra 1E Astra 1G or. In the above summary highlights only those transponders, which broadcast the programs of Czech or Slovak, possibly services for CZ/SK market.


Technical parameters Astra 3B
launcher: Ariane 5
Baikonur: Kourou, French Guiana
Weight: 5,460 kg
Satellite manufacturer EADS Astrium
Stabilization of the satellite: Triaxial
Number of transponders: 64
Number of transponders in Ku-band: 60
The number of transponders in the Ka-band: 4
Transponder bandwidth: 36/33 MH