Good news for Sky UK satellite users

So,until when is sat coverage guaranteed?
 
Looks like I'll get good life out of my Manhattan S4_R, then!
 
SES have a good reputation of getting extended life out of its satellites, but IIRC Astra 2F is due for "end of service" in 2028 and Astra 2E the following year, with Astra 2G a 2030 date. Since this agreement appears to go beyond 2030, It would appear that SES must have plans to keep it operational until then, so what have they got without launching a theoretical Astra 2H or beyond? Does any of their other satellites (inc. Intelsat birds) have the ability to provide a UK & Ireland beam like the current crop of satellites at 28E do, or might they be willing to bring in an MEV? Sky's current output could easily be reduced to two birds if not one, so there's options on the table.
 
Theres so many transponders off at 28E now they almost certainly dont need 3 satellites there any longer. Any even if one or more birds is left to run inclined it'll be a couple of years until the inclination starts getting bothersome for the small dishes in use in the UK.

However, I think SES has at least 1 space tug mission booked with no announcement yet as to which bird will be allocated the extension.

So even if SES dont replace any of the birds at 28E, itll be a few years until things start to wind down.

Id be surprised if there is a future announcement of 2H, as I doubt theres enough long term life left in the 28E slot, although with SES's recent mergers theres plenty of capacity could be shunted into 28E for a few years service to keep things ticking over.
 
Really good news!

As it seems possible to keep a satellite alive for quite some time (Astra 4A at 4,8 E is 19 years now and still going strong) the three birds at 28,2/28,5 E probably have a lot more to give. Especially since many transponders are inactive which prolongs the life (I suppose).
 
Analoguesat said:
Theres so many transponders off at 28E now they almost certainly dont need 3 satellites there any longer. Any even if one or more birds is left to run inclined it'll be a couple of years until the inclination starts getting bothersome for the small dishes in use in the UK.

However, I think SES has at least 1 space tug mission booked with no announcement yet as to which bird will be allocated the extension.

So even if SES dont replace any of the birds at 28E, itll be a few years until things start to wind down.

Id be surprised if there is a future announcement of 2H, as I doubt theres enough long term life left in the 28E slot, although with SES's recent mergers theres plenty of capacity could be shunted into 28E for a few years service to keep things ticking over.
Click to expand...
Whatever capacity is left over from the DTH content will either be put on the broker sites for short lease, or used for cross continental data stream back up.
 
We must remember Astra 1Q (19.2° East) | (28.2° East) [?] to have Satellite Launch by Falcon 9 at Cape Canaveral in the year 2028 !
 
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