Astra 2G Launch: December 2014

[solly]

now I remember 2c it more to 23.5 e feed

 

[M60]

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.

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.

 

[Analoguesat]

They will probably claim "extenuating circumstances" as the launch has been delayed numerous times through no fault of their own

 

[M60]

They will probably claim "extenuating circumstances" as the launch has been delayed numerous times through no fault of their own

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.

 

[william-1]

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 ?

 

[M60]

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 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?

 

[timo_w2s]

They will probably claim "extenuating circumstances" as the launch has been delayed numerous times through no fault of their own

I thought that too, especially as we're only talking a few days or weeks over the expired time.

 

[tempo]

TLEs for additional fuel tank available already, object #40366: http://www.celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/tle-new.txt

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

We are waiting for the TLE info for objects #40367 and #40368.

 

[william-1]

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

 

[timo_w2s]

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

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.

 

[dvdfilm]

What is the current approximate position of 2G?

 

[Fisty McB]

Damn it! I missed the launch! I take it there was no spectacular fireworks over the Kazak countryside on early Sunday morning...

As to Eutelsat 28A's transmissions, I'm finding that the Fixed beam is notably down on power compared to the rest of the Ku transmissions at 28 east, though the Spot Beam 1 transmissions from the same satellite are almost as good as the Euro beams on 2E & 2F

 

[Fisty McB]

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.

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.
According to Lyngsat 2A is still transmitting 14 transponders between 11.7 to 12.5GHz. Not sure what condition 2C is in terms of immediate capacity but for a pan-euro beam they could perhaps take on these 19 transponders at least on a short-term basis.
Both 2E and 2F seem to be capable of transmitting in the 11.45 to 11.7 GHz band - 2F has done so before for a temporary BBC Red Button feed earlier this year for the Commonwealth Games. At present there are three signals in this band broadcast from Eutelsat 28A, one of which used by Sky. It could be possible to transfer these three signals on to either 2E or 2F, though except for 11585 H transmission, configurations would need to be re-jigged.
Main problem is the 11.2 to 11.45 GHz band - there are 12 Eutelsat 28A transmissions currently here, only one contains no FTA services. If push came to shove, these transponders could be migrated to the 11.45 to 11.7 GHz and 12.5 to 12.75 GHz bands but understandably this would be a last resort.
It shouldn't be a problem for 2C, 2E & 2F to actually carry all current transmissions, but some frequency switching headaches would have to occur. What could happen in the early part of 2015 is see some services currently on 2A and Eutelsat 28A migrate to new frequencies as part of the 2G frequency plan temporarily on 2C, 2E and/or 2F where such frequency coverage duplication allows in preparation for 2G to eventually come to 28 east - once 2G settles at its planned home, SES can then transfer services over to it during the night without most people noticing.

As a note, I'm not taking into account data-only transponders.

 

[Pietclock]

If there was an emergency, they'd also put FTA transponders on 2C. I mean they practically did that for a long time with the so called 1N "spot beam" which was receivable in half of Europe with 60cm....

Better to stay on air even if some more people can temporarly receive the channels. Because millions would climb up their roofs to get them

 

[skomedal]

What is the current approximate position of 2G?

Doing a wobbly on satflare site ATM .

OBJECT A - NORAD 40364

Regards

AW: Astra 2G
Zitat:
Zumindest konnte ich die Norad-ID nicht finden.

Die Norad-ID ist 40364 (Name derzeit noch: 2014-089A) und kann mittlerweile verfolgt werden.

_http://forum.digitalfernsehen.de/forum/dxer-news/333335-astra-2g-10.html

 

[Llew]

If that is the bird, and not a stage of the rocket, it has some way to go. Heading east, 105W ATM.

 

[solly]

http://www.n2yo.com/?s=40364
astra 2g under orbit

 

[M60]

http://www.n2yo.com/?s=40364
astra 2g under orbit

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.

 

[kevjs]

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.

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)

 

[skomedal]

Doing a wobbly on satflare site ATM .

Post #235

And still doing it, until it gets stabilized, could take sometime yet

Regards