Surely if this is the case then they've only literally got three days to circularise it's orbit, Astrium to perform basic tests on the bird and then get it to it's target location - all which will take much longer than this? Guess we'll find out sooner rather than later.According to this http://spaceflightnow.com/2014/12/2...h-puts-astra-2g-broadcast-satellite-in-orbit/ it may still be doing it's 'place saving' for Luxembourg before it goes into test/service.
Looking back at the 2E launch on the 30th September 2013 it took 10 days to circularise and park 2E at 43.5E, testing then commenced on the 11th. We don't know where 2G will end up if it's still to be used in it's parking location but 43.5E seems to be used by the Luxembourg Government as a Ku registered slot as well so who knows, we'll no doubt find out in the next week or so.They will probably claim "extenuating circumstances" as the launch has been delayed numerous times through no fault of their own
I should have made my last post a bit clearer but it seems 2E was what secured the 43.5E Lux Ku band ITU licence renewal, I'm only making an assumption that the X Band slot is also at 43.5E? It could be at a different location as there's been no confirmation, official or otherwise, of 43.5E testing unless I've missed it?I thought only 2G could go to 43.5 east so as to obtain the slot for X-band use ? if it was only Ku band then 2C or any spare satellite could do it ?
I thought that too, especially as we're only talking a few days or weeks over the expired time.They will probably claim "extenuating circumstances" as the launch has been delayed numerous times through no fault of their own
We are waiting for the TLE info for objects #40367 and #40368.2014-089C
1 40366U 14089C 14362.43921891 -.00000123 00000-0 00000+0 0 47
2 40366 49.5503 69.4933 5247099 352.8964 1.9389 5.17613041 24
Don't forget 2C is still pretty empty apart from a couple of data transponders. That could help take some capacity if needed in an emergency but it would mean a bit of juggling of transponders due to 2C's limited transmission capabilities.
Even with juggling the frequencies 2C will be of little use @ 28.2/28.5 east as it cannot cover 11.2 to 11.7 GHz only the combination of 2F,2E & 2G will this part of the Ku band be covered when Eutelsat 28A moves from this orbital position,
2A is a bit easier to cover 11.7 to 12.5 GHz as 2E & 2F can duplicate these frequencies,
2C could cover 11.7 to 12.2 GHz also but with the bigger footprint most of the transmissions may be encrypted 10.7 to 11.2 cannot be used on 2C as the footprint is too large.
With hind sight the latest Astra satellites should have been able to cover the whole Ku band 10.7 to 12.75 as the Eutelsat 13B,13C & 13D satellites can,
I suppose it was cheaper to make the satellites 2E,2F & 2G the way they did but it did not take into account that with the takeover of the whole Ku band spectrum by SES that they would be deficient in some parts of the Ku band @ 28.5 east
It would certainly be less of a headache to move those Band D transponders that are encrypted from Sky from 2E to 2C temporarily. There's five such transponders in the 10.7 to 10.95 GHz band.But in an emergency 2C could be used in the lower band for a number of UK spot transponders that are encrypted (eg some of the Sky ones) which would free up 2E transponders to be used elsewhere if needed. Also, I suspect 2C could be used as a temporary direct replacement for the UK spots if the only other alternative was to shut down Freesat. If 1N's so called UK spot was acceptable for use for a few years I'm sure 2C under emergency situations would be acceptable for copyright holders while a long term solution was arranged by SES.
What is the current approximate position of 2G?
The Apogee is 35,739.3 km which is correct, another few burns are required once Apogee is reached to circularise. This may or may not have taken place yet and the tracking websites have to catch up.http://www.n2yo.com/?s=40364
astra 2g under orbit
Now reporting 30153.22km and falling. The orbit trail makes it obvious the TLE predection doesn't think it's near geostationary yet - approx 32'W now and heading east. (was 38'W a few hours ago heading west)The Apogee is 35,739.3 km which is correct, another few burns are required once Apogee is reached to circularise. This may or may not have taken place yet and the tracking websites have to catch up.
Doing a wobbly on satflare site ATM .