Astra 2E: On Hold At 43.5E

[skomedal]

If one were to be cynical, one might consider the possibility of flannel, here: They must be fed up to the back teeth of people asking for updates.
In this case, the counter is that they must know people are able to monitor Satellite movements etc, so there probably isn't much point in sandbagging as they'd soon get caught out.

This is very true

 

[Pietclock]

Must be the most delayed satellite ever. It was planned to be in space in Q1/2013, now it probably will go on air 1 year later.

 

[Analoguesat]

Must be the most delayed satellite ever. It was planned to be in space in Q1/2013, now it probably will go on air 1 year later.

We can beat a years delay easily - the NOAA-N Prime launch was delayed for over 5 years!

It got dropped during manufacture
$135million for repairs!

 

[Waveguide]

Gravity sucks!

 

[Deso]

I think that could be classed as an 'Oh Shit!' moment.

 

[M60]

If one were to be cynical, one might consider the possibility of flannel, here: They must be fed up to the back teeth of people asking for updates.

In my former life, if we were getting badgered by the Press about how an Investigation was going, we would tell them "It'll be at least a fortnight" or some such, even if we were close to finishing. Getting rid of unwanted distractions.

In this case, the counter is that they must know people are able to monitor Satellite movements etc, so there probably isn't much point in sandbagging as they'd soon get caught out.

It might be that comment further up the thread of replies on the original Facebook posting where someone said "maybe 2E is damaged", perhaps management at SES realised it wouldn't go down with investors or shareholders if they connect via social media and see that posted via their own FB page, even if from someone else - at least it's invoked a decent response! 2E will have to be in place before February to allow them time for lighting up a TP and carrying out testing, just as per 1N and 2F.

When is 2G launching, something like Q2 2014?

 

[Schroeder]

When is 2G launching, something like Q2 2014?

Yep, Q2 2014 currently

 

[BLUEPLATINUM]

Two points I note. The announcement refers specifically to the moving of the channels not the satellite, so by the time it starts in February the bird must already have moved. Also, it only mentions the spot beam channels. It is not possible to determine whether the PE channels will already have moved, will move later or will have their moves intermingled with those on the spot.

Sent from my GT-I9205 using Tapatalk

 

[gambit]

Is this the first time that there's been an official date announcement about the start of operations, even before any official statement from Astrium that the testing of the satellite has been completed?

Interesting, also, that the SES statement focused solely on the UK beam - supporting the view that the announcement is, in part, a response to all the interest and requests for clarification. It could be that the UK TV broadcasters themselves have voiced concern and prompted the announcement.

It certainly appears that SES did feel under some "obligation".

Interesting to note that the SES announcement emphasises the reduced footprint and that "UK and Irish broadcasters hold broadcasting rights only for the UK and/or Ireland but not for other countries" whereas the BBC blog (Alix Pryde) focused on the benefit of the increased signal strength in the UK.

 

[M60]

When the BBC and ITV moved from 2D to 1N this change didn't happen until SES had 1N illuminated for about three months so these timescales are notably ahead of when 2E has to physically arrive. The BBC won't accept some evidence of testing results, that may include illuminating a test TP at 28E before changeover or full evidence of the testing at 43.5E to be reassured of no detrimental effect on UK viewers.

 

[Schroeder]

With 2F, several transponders were lit up before anything was moved over. If I remember correctly it was several weeks before the initial transfers happened. My guess is Astra 2E has to be in place by at least mid January to meet an early February transfer. Given 1H is still moving, are they waiting for that to reach it final place before moving 2E or will 2E start to move soon?

 

[hvdh]

I don't see any link between the 1H movement and 2E.
SES is moving around their old inclined satellites frequently, anyway.

 

[M60]

With 2F, several transponders were lit up before anything was moved over. If I remember correctly it was several weeks before the initial transfers happened. My guess is Astra 2E has to be in place by at least mid January to meet an early February transfer. Given 1H is still moving, are they waiting for that to reach it final place before moving 2E or will 2E start to move soon?

We'll find out once 1H ends up (we presume) at 31.5E by early next week. If they want to save on 2E's fuel and it's intended arrival date is, let's say, 15th January then moving it around the 20th at the same orbit raised height of 1H would take about 25 days.

 

[Huevos]

With 2F, several transponders were lit up before anything was moved over.

That's not true. First switch was BBC HD transponder (11023H) followed a few days later by all the rest. Change happened on 22 Nov, mid morning. All transponders were a migration. No "test transponders" were switched on before this point.

http://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/threads/astra-2f-at-28e-at-last.156801/page-10#post-822666

 

[dvdfilm]

I also agree this is quite an unusual announcement from SES..
Plus no mention whatsoever about the PE beam

 

[Schroeder]

That's not true. First switch was BBC HD transponder (11023H) followed a few days later by all the rest. Change happened on 22 Nov, mid morning. All transponders were a migration. No "test transponders" were switched on before this point.

http://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/threads/astra-2f-at-28e-at-last.156801/page-10#post-822666

SES announced operational on 21-Nov-2012.
On 22-Nov-2012 BBC TWO Scotland & Wales were moved but were not at that point "LIVE" but still in " TEST", they went officially live on 14-Jan-2013. The first true live signals were moved 4-Dec-2012 ( 12 days later).

 

[Huevos]

SES announced operational on 21-Nov-2012.
On 22-Nov-2012 BBC TWO Scotland & Wales were moved but were not at that point "LIVE" but still in " TEST", they went officially live on 14-Jan-2013. The first true live signals were moved 4-Dec-2012 ( 12 days later).

Yes but you said "With 2F, several transponders were lit up before anything was moved over" and that is not true. Everything was a migration of existing transponders irrespective of the status of any channels those transponders might have been carrying. All SIDs, PIDs, etc remained identical. It was just a straight switch-over. No new transponders were lit up until the Eutelsat switch-off, and even that was just temporary.

 

[Schroeder]

Yes but you said "With 2F, several transponders were lit up before anything was moved over" and that is not true. Everything was a migration of existing transponders irrespective of the status of any channels those transponders might have been carrying. All SIDs, PIDs, etc remained identical. It was just a straight switch-over. No new transponders were lit up until the Eutelsat switch-off, and even that was just temporary.

OK, I get your point, however reading through the 2F thread, it was mentioned that transponders appeared to be lit up albeit for short periods. The 11023 transponder was not live, but I take your point it was already running on 1N, however they did appear to use that for some sort testing before moving "Live" transponders 12 days later.

 

[Huevos]

reading through the 2F thread, it was mentioned that transponders appeared to be lit up albeit for short periods.

Lots of weird and wacky things mentioned in that thread, but for sure there were no new or temporary test transponders lit up, only direct migrations from 1n.

 

[Lazarus]

Lots of weird and wacky things mentioned in the 2E Threads as well, H!