Astra 2G: Pre-Testing Phase

[Llew]

12:04 18.04.2015 -
2G almost dead on 23.5E - 2G Beacon 11710.50V

Beacon to the left, 23.5E 11701.75V.

 

[Lazarus]

Splendid

 

[Tururu]

Thanks for the info/Gracias por la informacion.

 

[Llew]

Marcus spotted the move first ;)

I can't see any KA beacons, maybe switched off for the move?

 

[statalite]

Skipping 28.2 for testing right?

 

[Tururu]

Marcus spotted the move first ;)

True, also have my thanks/Cierto, tiene tambien mi agradecimiento.

 

[william-1]

Skipping 28.2 for testing right?

Yes heading for 43.5 east for testing of Ku band transponders well that was the original plan then moves to 28.2 /28.5 east to replace Eutelsat 28A in June this year.

 

[timo_w2s]

then moves to 28.2 /28.5 east to replace Eutelsat 28A in June this year.

I know that's what we all assume and is most likely, but has anyone got any official confirmation that 2G will "take over" 28A right away? (Or as much as is possible given 2G and 28A don't have quite the same transmission capabilities) I only query this as for the past couple of years many people have been predicting 28A immanent demise but she just keeps on going.

 

[solly]

the information say 2g will be 28.5e replace 250mhz band of eurobird

 

[william-1]

28.2 east & 28.5 east will over time eventually end up at 28.3 east for all SES Astra satellite,
Rumour has it that Badr-7 / Arabsat 6B will be another power house like Badr-4 so increased distance between these will be beneficial.

 

[C0re]

Are you 100% sure it will be testing first at 43.5?

 

[william-1]

Are you 100% sure it will be testing first at 43.5?

That was the original plan https://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/threads/astra-2g-launch-december-2014.163046/page-11
But in the satellite World anything could happen.

 

[Marcus_21]

After 24 hours, from about 23,3°E at reached 24,6°E... drifting to east of about 1,3~1,4 degrees for day.

 

[M60]

After 24 hours, from about 23,3°E at reached 24,6°E... drifting to east of about 1,3~1,4 degrees for day.

Reckon at those sorts of speeds across the arc it won't be long before 2G does arrive at 43.5E. If I'm not mistaken there was a one Month full testing period with 2E and 2F? It was a while ago now, racking my brains trying to remember. Know I was in Fuertoventura on my hols November 2013 when testing completed on 2E.

 

[timo_w2s]

Reckon at those sorts of speeds across the arc it won't be long before 2G does arrive at 43.5E. If I'm not mistaken there was a one Month full testing period with 2E and 2F? It was a while ago now, racking my brains trying to remember. Know I was in Fuertoventura on my hols November 2013 when testing completed on 2E.

It doesn't give testing times but here's a few recent launches:

Astra 1M: Launched 06.11.08. Started service 20.01.09. Approx 75 days from launch to service
Astra 3B: Launched 21.05.10. Started service 16.06.10. Approx 27 days from launch to service
Astra 1N: Launched 06.08.11. Started service 24.10.11. Approx 79 days from launch to service
SES 5: Launched 10.07.12. Started service 17.09.12. Approx 69 days from launch to service
Astra 2F: Launched 28.09.12. Started service 21.11.12. Approx 54 days from launch to service
Astra 2E: Launched 29.09.13. Started service 31.01.14. Approx 123 days from launch to service
Astra 2G: Launched 27.12.14.

 

[Pride Of Cucamonga]

Yes heading for 43.5 east for testing of Ku band transponders well that was the original plan then moves to 28.2 /28.5 east to replace Eutelsat 28A in June this year.

Is 43.5 east just used for testing SES satellites?

 

[adonis1]

POSTED ON: JANUARY 12TH, 2015

Airbus Defence and Space has successfully completed the initial in-orbit testing of ASTRA 2G and has handed over the control of the satellite to SES who will now validate the performance of its communications payload. Afterwards, it will begin operational service at its 28.2/28.5-degrees East orbital location in order to provide next generation broadcast and broadband services.

The ASTRA 2G telecommunications satellite was launched by an ILS Proton Breeze M launcher from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, on 27 December 2014 at 21:24 GMT. Launch and Early Orbit Phase operations have been conducted from the Airbus Defence and Space spacecraft control centre in Toulouse. A series of manoeuvres enabled the satellite to reach geostationary orbit on 2 January, the solar arrays and antenna reflectors have been successfully deployed and the satellite has acquired final Earth pointing. All spacecraft functions are performing as expected.

broadcastprome.com

 

[M60]

Cheers Timo for the detailed info. I worked out, from Sunday, it will take about 14 days to arrive at 43.5E, if indeed that is where it's going, but we'll no doubt find out. If it arrives there about the 4th May, then does a Months-worth of testing it should be early June by the time it's heading back again.

 

[Marcus_21]

8:00 GMT, has reached 26°E.... moving to east...

 

[Marcus_21]

is about 30,2°E, always moving to east