Astra 2E: General Discussion (Post-Testing)

[Schroeder]

it can be ses testing ka band
or tle not update two week
need to remember 29 November it two month satellite on air without operation

TLE content is changing but only slightly which tends to confirm 2E is stationary, so lets hope it tests on the Ka band

2E is still under control of Astrium and tests run so far have been by Astrium. It would be in the interest of Astrium to get it 28.2E ASAP I would have thought so they get the payment from SES. SES will only take on the bird if/when it gets to 28.2E after the handover from Astrium. If it's not moving on Monday (although we may not know for a day or so after Monday) then maybe something is not quite right, the brake has stuck on ;).

 

[M60]

Unless SES have done a deal with Celestrak to prevent updates for a week or so? Can't see it myself so assume she's still put at 43.5E.

Monday is another week so maybe we'll start to finally see something, got to have a bit of optimism I suppose!

 

[BLUEPLATINUM]

Someone has asked SES on their Facebook page when 2E will arrive at 28.2 East and hey have curtly replied that they can't talk about that.

Sent from my GT-I9205 using Tapatalk

 

[tothbros]

there are trade secrets and confidential data...and then there's pointless and unnecessary withholding information for the sake of...whatever...or SES just simply can't be bothered with PR

...and on a personal note: just got myself a shiny new 2TB sky box...i'm itching to know whether i'll be watching the "no satellite signal" screen on it from January ;)

 

[Jester87]

What is "TLE" please?
Viktor,
Sunny Cyprus.

 

[sonnetpete]

TLE...'Two Line Element set'......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-line_element_set

 

[gambit]

Why has the 2E not moved?

It could just be that SES-Astrium are not ready to move it yet.

Maybe they are just busy, or just happy to wait until the New Year or some of their key staff have seasonal flu.

They had a launch on Friday (22nd)

"Astrium's Swarm satellite trio successfully launched from Plesetsk"

They were busy in the middle of last week (20th)

"Alphasat ready for service at its operational position. Alphasat has been successfully tested and moved to its operational position"

Now, perhaps they can focus on the 2E.

 

[Lazarus]

What will be, will be. Or not.

 

[strs65]

Unless SES have done a deal with Celestrak to prevent updates for a week or so? Can't see it myself so assume she's still put at 43.5E.

Monday is another week so maybe we'll start to finally see something, got to have a bit of optimism I suppose!

Well, the little "beacon" is still there...

 

[solly]

it still signal 11541v
it not move yet

 

[buckshee]

Thanks Solly, for halting the rumors.

 

[Menorca Man]

Given that we in Menorca are suffering from the 2F "Catalonia Notch", as far as I'm concerned, unless 2E has a more favourable (to us) UK Spot Beam, it can stay at 43.5E as long as it likes!!

 

[Lazarus]

It won't be for long: Trawling a wide selection of sources, it seems SES are happy with 2E and the logistics are such that on 28 Nov there will be transfers from 2A to 2F. Then Astra 2A can move before the Winter break.

Subsequently, 2E can move to 28.2E and assume the stuff from 1N, leaving 1N to complete it's original mission. Don't forget 2E's launch was delayed, so much re-planning has been required. Originally, the consensus was that 2E would be tested and moved asap, but maybe they've gone all prudent on us.

Ergo, 2E might not be operational at 28.2E until early in the New Year. Mid-January, perhaps?

 

[tothbros]

the question is whether this temporary move to 2F is to be UK or PE

 

[M60]

It won't be for long: Trawling a wide selection of sources, it seems SES are happy with 2E and the logistics are such that on 28 Nov there will be transfers from 2A to 2F. Then Astra 2A can move before the Winter break.

Subsequently, 2E can move to 28.2E and assume the stuff from 1N, leaving 1N to complete it's original mission. Don't forget 2E's launch was delayed, so much re-planning has been required. Originally, the consensus was that 2E would be tested and moved asap, but maybe they've gone all prudent on us.

Ergo, 2E might not be operational at 28.2E until early in the New Year. Mid-January, perhaps?

It sounds plausible as 2F is still under-utilised considering the number of available TP's she's got at her disposal. The 11.45-11.7GHz spectrum remains pretty empty for now and, assuming Eutelsat don't snatch it back, then SES can reserve capacity here for future expansion possibly to be used by 2G.

I make it 17 TP's currently in use on 2F, excluding the West African beam ones, not done a count of how many 2A is currently carrying but a quick count on Lyngsat makes 23. How many UK/European TP's does 2F carry, something like 48??

We obviously don't know for certain this is happening, just based on these PID changes I'm assuming?

 

[timo_w2s]

Well whatever happens it's going to be an interesting few months... Personally I can't wait for 1N to leave as it's the only satellite that has been at 28E that I have not managed to pick up any transponders from in Helsinki. 2E can't be any worse can it? At least 2F gives us some limited reception on a 1.8m.

 

[Pietclock]

Then Astra 2A can move before the Winter break.

where will it go ?

 

[M60]

where will it go ?

As backup for 3B at 23.5E.

 

[solly]

the astra 2a have 23 transponder
the astra 2f can be change all tp
it use same freuqncy 117000 to 127500
or low band of spot beam 11450- to 11700 ?

 

[M60]

Doing a quick count of current active TP's on all SES craft at 28.2E, using Lyngsat for reference (so not neccesarily 100% accurate):

2A - 20
2F - 17 (WA beam +2)
1N - 32


That means if 2E takes over 1N's and 2F take over 2A's TP's:

2E - 32
2F - 37 (WA beam +2)


They will need 2C back from 19.2E as backup before 2G arrives mid 2014 which is planned once 1N moves to 19.2E.