Astra News

ASTRA NEWS - Page Updated 20/07/13

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UPDATE‚ 20/07/13 at 20.00 - An update on the "Proton-M" rocket crash and the now delayed/postponed "Astra 2E" satellite launch is that‚ the first‚ restarted launch from the "Baikonur Cosmodrome" will be in early September of 2013 with the preparations for said launch being carried out in August of 2013,‚ the "ILS" (International Launch Services) own follow up "FROB" (Failure Review Oversight Board) investigation and review into the "Proton-M" crash should have been completed by the first week of August, the long awaited "Astra 2E" satellite was scheduled to be the next launch after this "Proton-M" rocket crash while carrying the three "Glosnass" satellites so based on the above information and if everything goes according to the information above then it is quite possible that the "Astra 2E" satellite will be launched in early September of 2013 and if it is the case that "Astra 2E" is launched in early September of 2013 then the expectation would be for "Astra 2E" to have been officially announced as operational and in service at the 28.2 degrees east satellite position by the End of October of 2013, as is normal with these things all this is subject to change of course

 

20/07/13 at 11.00 - In December of 2013 German state broadcaster "ARD" launches High Definition (HD) versions of some of the remaining channels under it's control that have not as yet launched in HD, from this date you will find on the Astra satellite at 19.2 degrees east "Eins Festival HD", "Eins Plus HD", and "tagesshau24 HD" on 11.053 H and "hr fernsehen HD", "RBB Berlin", "RBB Brandenburg", "MDR Sachsen", "MDR Sachsen Anhalt", and "MDR Thƒ¼ringen" on 10.891 H, both of these frequencies will have the tuning parameters of SR 22.000, FEC 2/3 DVB-S2 8PSK, a further thing to note is that‚ there are still the "SR Fernsehen" and "Radio Bremen TV", and "BR Alpha" channels remaining without a known to us HD plan, there is no news on if or when HD versions of these channels will be appearing,‚ these new HD channels will be a welcome addition to the existing multitude of currently available free to air "ARD" and "ZDF" HD channels, it is such a shame that unlike the German state HD channels which have gone for the free to air option that the German private channels have gone for the encrypted option. One thing further to add and based on this latest information is - Can we assume/presume that the "Astra 1N" satellite will have been moved to the 19.2 degrees east satellite position by December of 2013 and that these latest HD channels will be broadcast from the Astra 1N satellite? It is possible that this will be the case! Please don't forget to put a "link" back to "Rob's Satellite TV" if you are using the information contained in this article or any other article on this website somewhere else, be that on a forum or on another website

 

UPDATE‚ 18/07/13 at 17.00 - An update on the "Proton-M" rocket crash of the 2nd of July, 2013 which because of this has put an indefinite ‚ delay on the "Astra 2E" satellite launch, the "Russian Federal Space Agency" (Roscosmos) have said that "the space rocket's failed launch was due to an error during installation of three yaw-axis angular rate sensors on the Proton-M rocket",‚ read the full articleHERE‚ ,‚ also said was that "the commission determined that the liftoff switch was activated 0.4 seconds before the rocket actually separated from the launch pad", the investigation by the commission continues because they will need to determine exactly why there was a premature "lift off" when there should not have been, this continuation of the investigation means that there will be and still is no further news on when "Proton-M" rocket launches from the "Baikonur Cosmodrome" in Kazakhstan will resume, this in turn means that we are still no clearer as to when the "Astra 2E" satellite will be launched, launches are still postponed

 

UPDATE‚ 13/07/13 at 09.30 - An update regarding the investigations into the cause of the "Proton" rocket crash of the 2nd of July, 2013 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, apparently the "Russian State Commission" inquiry is still ongoing but is expected to be completed by the end of July, following this completion the expectation is that the‚ "ILS" (International Launch Services) own "FROB" (Failure Review Oversight Board) investigation and review will begin in early/mid August, of course all this is relevant regarding the delayed "Astra 2E" satellite launch and in light of this latest information it is looking increasingly likely that it will be a September launch for the "Astra 2E" satellite

 

UPDATE‚ 11/07/13 at 17.30 - Some good news for my readers who are either resident in France or holidaying in France, "SES-Astra" and‚ it's long-standing partner "NordNet" have announced an expansion service, "Nordnet" has developed a new on-demand satellite broadband offering for which it contracted additional Ka-band capacity on the Astra 2F satellite, the solution, based on SES Broadband Services' technology offers download speeds of up to 20 Mbit/s for second residences and holiday homes in France and it is marketed in France, seems like a good solution for any of you who are in the remoter parts of France, read the full article‚ HERE

 

UPDATE‚ 10/07/13 at 19.30 - Regarding the "Proton" rocket crash of the 2nd of July, 2013 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan all of the people associated with the "Astra 2E" satellite launch were in a safe area and no harm came to any of them, also‚ there were no injuries or casualities either Russian or Kazakhstani, the now delayed "Astra 2E" satellite has been put unfuelled in temporary storage and most of the "Astra 2E" associated people have left the Baikonur Cosmodrome on the 5th of July, 2013, they will only return when the investigations are completed into the cause of the "Proton" rocket crash and the remedies/solutions have been implemented. Following the "Proton" rocket crash no damage was caused to launch pad 24 or launch pad 39, "Astra 2E" was scheduled to be launched from launch pad 39. The "Russian State Commission" will investigate the cause of this "Proton" rocket failure/crash, following their report, findings, and suggested remedy "ILS" (International Launch Services) will conduct their own "FROB" (Failure Review Oversight Board) which will review the "Russian State Commissions" report, findings, and suggested remedy, this "FROB" investigation would possibly not begin until Late July/Early August, obviously there will be no launches and more specifically there will be no "Astra 2E" launch until the "Russian State Commission" and the "FROB" have completed their investigations and the suggested remedies have been put in place, at a guess I think that the very earliest date that "Astra 2E" could now possibly be launched would be in Late August, 2013 but they would even be pushing it to even meet that date

 

UPDATE‚ 10/07/13 at 17.00 -‚ The "SES-Astra" website now says "TBC" (To Be Confirmed) for the "Astra 2E" satellite launch date

UPDATE‚ 10/07/13 at 08.00 - I did say that we would be getting news very soon and so it comes to pass, according to Russian media the 2nd of July, 2013 "Proton" rocket crash at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan was caused by human error and I quote‚ "The angular velocity sensors were wired up with the wrong polarity therefore the rocket was orientated incorrectly", do I hear everyone shouting out all at once "It was the Vodka drinking Russian wot dun it Guv"! LOL! This man should be on his way to Siberia as we speak! LOL! We await further developments with earnest

 

UPDATE‚ 05/07/13 at 17.30 - "EuropaSat" will market the "SES-Astra" satellite broadband service "SES-Broadband" in the UK and Europe, this‚ service uses Ka-band capacity on the "Astra 2F satellite at the 28.2 degrees east satellite position, this capacity will be further extended after the launch of "Astra 2E", The "Astra 2E" satellite when it eventually gets launched and arrives at 28.2 degrees east will provide internet via satellite with download speeds of up to 20 Mbit/s to end consumers from it's‚ 3 wideband Ka-band transponders, you can read‚ the full article‚ HERE

 

UPDATE‚ 05/07/13 at 17.30 - "SES-Astra" have signed a collabarotion agreement with "SSI-Monaco" (Space Systems International Monaco) for the development and use of the 52 degrees East Monaco orbital position, "SSI" are responsible for the realization of the "MonacoSat" satellite project and‚ signed a set of agreements with the "Turkmenistan Ministry of Communications" in relation to the use of the 52 degrees east satellite position and‚ included the right for "SSI" to use 12 Ku-band transponders on the "TurkmenSpace" satellite, the satellite will be launched in late 2014/early 2015. So that is why the "Astra 1H" satellite was moved from the 19.2 degrees east satellite position to the 52.0 degrees east satellite position, well that as well as to make room at 19.2 degrees east for the eventual arrival of "Astra 1N", "Astra 1H" must be keeping 52 degrees east safe and sound, basically housekeeping before the new tenant arrives, "Astra 1H" could be at 52 degrees east until 2015 but of I am sure that "SES-Astra" will find a use for during the meantime, the full article is‚ HERE

 

UPDATE 05/07/13 at 15.30 - I told you it would not be long before we started getting some news, apparently an "Early Launch" is being said as one of the likely causes of the "Proton "rocket crash of the 2nd of July, 2013 which has put such a probabledelay on the "Astra 2E" satellite launch, so it could have been an "Early Start", we have all been waiting so long for "Astra 2E" that I would have thought that an "Early Start"would have been nigh on impossible, it is now! LOL! Also regarding this launch I just love what has been posted on some of the official websites, "ILS" (International Launch Services) following the "Proton" crash put "The rocket veered off it's flight path and returned to earth"! It probably forgot it's passport, if that is returning to earth then I am dreading the next time my wife falls of my rocket! LOL! Also this was on the "Facebook" page of "SES-Astra" and I quote "Astra 2E landed this week at it's launch location"! OK that was posted on the 28th of June, 2013 before the accident but a nice chooice of words nonetheless, it does make me wonder if "SES-Astra" have got a "Crystal Ball" just like mine though!‚ 

 

UPDATE‚ 04/07/13 at 19.30 - Astra 2E‚ launch delay - Whilst it is a definite that the launch of the "Astra 2E" satellite will be delayed the big question is how long will this delay‚ last‚ for, it is currently unknown because we‚ are in the very early stages of investigations into the cause following the "Proton" rocket crash of the 2nd of Julybut it would seem that "ILS" (International Launch Services) are implying‚ that all is not as bad as it seems, we will reserve judgement on‚ that one, they say that‚ damage was very minimal at"Baikonur", they also say that the "Proton" rocket‚ that‚ crashed is a different to the one used for the main satellite launches such as "Astra 2E" and‚ I presume that what they are really‚ implying isbasically‚ that the other "Astra‚ 2E" rocket‚ is and would‚ be‚ OK‚ so let's back to it and let's get on with it, now "ILS"‚ being a commercial company would want launches to recommence as soon as possible and‚ even‚ yesterday but what is also said is that the "Proton" rockets' first engines are basically the same, we all saw the rocket crash and after seeing those crash pictures I am sure that we are all of the same train of thought that the problem‚ could and is possibly‚ a first engine problem, it basically only just left the ground and very swiftly returned to earth,‚ "Returned to‚ Earth" are the words of "ILS" not me,‚ using this logic if someone is in a train crash would the official statement say something like‚ "The Train arrived at a Different Destination" or if there was a car crash would an official statement say "The Car has stopped‚ to go to‚ the Garage"! LOL!‚ So, back on subject, there are investigation underway into the‚ cause of this "Proton" crash, personally i do not think it is going to be too long before they find out a general cause of the accident and‚ issue a statement of clarity to, it is all public relations exercises, they will not stay silent, we will get word,‚ and then following this they‚ would then have narrowed it down to a specific part of the equipment which‚ will‚ then be thoroughly checked, obviously the‚ "Baikonur Cosmodrome" needs a thorough clean up but that is not too difficult a thing‚ to do, but my anticipation is that we will not have to wait to long for‚ clarification regarding whether launches will resume or will indeed be delayed for the‚ two or three months currently anticipated, it all depends on what and where the crashed "Proton"‚ rocket's problems were, give it a week or two and we should all be further‚ clarified and enlightened regarding where "Astra‚ 2E" stands!

 

UPDATE‚ 02/07/13 at 21.30 -‚ SES-Astra Satellite Happenings 3??

I will try and keep it simple but please bear in mind that this might be slightly confusing, I apologise in advance if it is difficult to follow but imagine what it is like to think up and write the bloody thing! LOL! There are lots of variables to follow.‚ ‚© Rob's Satellite TV

Following this now inevitable delay to the launch of "Astra 2E" I would not like to be in the shoes of "SES-Astra" right now considering the apparent urgency that an "Astra 2E" launch and in operation is really desired and required by them, but if I were in the shoes of "SES-Astra" what would the options now be, firstly you need some background information to help you through the maze of possibilities that I am about to take you through.‚© Rob's Satellite TV

The 28.2 degrees east satellite position of "SES-Astra" needs another satellite, currently positioned there are the following satellites, Astra 2A, Astra 2F, Astra 1N, and Astra 2D, the current status of all these satellites is that Astra 2A is in operation and will remain at 28.2 degrees east until after Astra 2G is launched in 2014, I am expecting Astra 2A transponders and frequencies to be moved to Astra 2G and then Astra 2A will be moved to another satellite position, most probably 23.5 or 31.5 degrees east, Astra 2F is to remain at 28.2 degrees east, this satellite has spare capacity and prior to today's events my thinking was that Astra 2F was to take most of the Eutelsat 28.5 degrees east frequencies which "SES-Astra" have acquired for use from October the 3rd of 2013, you now see some of the urgency for "SES-Astra" but there is a dispute currently in progress between "SES-Astra" and "Eutelsat" over these frequencies and we the public are not party to the progress of the "Court of Arbitration" or what stage the discussions are at, anyway moving on, the Astra 1N satellite is currently in use but it is scheduled to move to the 19.2 degrees east satellite position following the launch and in operation of Astra 2E, and finally Astra 2D which is currently being used as ‚ a back up/stand by satellite, so that's 28.2 degrees east.‚ ‚© Rob's Satellite TV

The 19.2 degrees east satellite position of "SES-Astra" also needs another satellite,‚ currently positioned there are the following satellites, Astra 1KR, Astra 1L, Astra 1M, and Astra 2C, also positioned very close by at 19.4 degrees east is the Astra 2B satellite which used to be at 28.2 degrees east, the current status of all these satellites is that Astra 1KR, Astra 1M, Astra 1L, and Astra 2C are all currently in operation, Astra 2B is not as yet in operation and is at 19.4 degrees east and it's new purpose at this satellite position is to open up another "SES-Astra" satellite position to serve South Africa, I was expecting Astra 1L and Astra 2C to be cleared of their frequencies once Astra 1N arrived at 19.2 degrees east, Astra 1L was then to be used a a back up/stand by satellite at 19.2 degrees east and Astra 2C to be moved to 28.2 degrees east, so that's 19.2 degrees east, and now to the numerous possibilities.‚© Rob's

Until Astra 2E is launched and in operation what temporary measures can "SES-Astra" make and take at the 28.2 and 19.2 degrees east satellite positions now that the Astra 2E launch is delayed, they need capacity and they also need back up at both satellite positions, I am outlining some of the possible solutions below and all of the solutions do not leave much back up/stand by cover for "SES-Astra" but they may be able to live with that for the short term solution‚ 

1) "SES-Astra" could just leave everything just the same as it currently is until Astra 2E's eventual launch and in operation and following that just continue with their original designated plan of moving Astra 1N from 28.2 to 19.2 degrees east and moving Astra 2C from 19.2 to 28.2 degrees east, the capacity is ther at 28.2 degrees east to do that, my long held belief is that the reason that Astar 1N and not Astra 2F was given the Astra 2B frequencies was because "SES-Astra" have/had a long term alternative plan in the likely and now true event of an Astra 2E launch delay and/or problems, Astra 2F is and was kept as a back up solution to take the disputed "Eutelsat" frequencies, as I have said previously, we currently do not know whether it is "Eutelsat" or "SES-Astra" who gets the disputed frequencies‚ if it is "Eutelsat" then there is nothing at all to worry about for "SES-Astra"‚ but if it is "SES-Astra" they do sort of have the current 28.2 degrees east capacity for this, there is also Astra 2D as a sort of back up/stand by satellite but that would be very sparse for back up/stand by capacity, also excepting the "Eutelsat" frequencies please don't expect any new frequency channel activations at 28.2 degrees east using this solution.

2) In the interim and before the 3rd of October of 2013 "SES-Astra" could reactivate Astra 2D at 28.2 degrees east to take the low band Astra 1N frequencies/channels and they could also put the high band Astar 1N frequencies/channels onto Astra 2F, this would release Astra 1N to move to 19.2 degrees east as originally planned and subsequently Astra 2C could be released to move to 28.2 degrees east also as originally planned, doing all this before the 3rd of October of 2013 would‚ mean that Astra 2C would be in a position to either retake the Astra 1N high band frequencies from Astra 2F leaving Astra 2F free to take the "Eutelsat" frequencies or Astra 2C could be left empty to take the "Eutelsat" frequencies leaving Astra 2F with the Astra 1N highband frequencies that it took, the low band frequencies would remain on Astra 2D, this solution does not leave any room for back up/stand by capacity.‚ ‚© Rob's Satellite TV

3) There is another more feasible solution, a satellite that used to be at the 19.2 degrees east satellite position but was only recently moved from there, Astra 1H is currently between 52 and 53 degrees east, it is currently serving no purpose other that it is in the very early stages process of opening up a new satellite position or supplementing an existing out of the way satellite position for "SES-Astra" but as a temporary solution why don't "SES-Astra" bring Astra 1H to help out temporarily at 28.2 degrees east and while they are at it they could alsoutilise Astra 2B to help out temporarily at 19.2 degrees east, it is currently at 19.4 degrees east and if it won't work at that position which I am thinking that it would but if not then it could be moved slightly from 19.4 to 19.2 degrees east, Astra 1H and Astra 2B would be ideal temporary solutions which would keep the "SES-Astra" master plan to it's origianl master plan of moving Astra 1N from 28.2 to 19.2 degrees east and moving Astra 2C from 19.2 to 28.2 degrees east, it could be done and "SES-Astra" do have the time to now implement this solution.‚ ‚© Rob's Satellite TV

4) "SES-Astra" could at the 19.2 degrees east satellite position‚ see if they could share all of the Astra 2C frequencies/chanenls between Astra 1KR, Astra 1L, and Astra 1M which would then release Astra 2C to go to 28.2 degrees east to help out, failing that "SES-Astra" could‚ utilise the Astra 2B satellite which is at 19.4 degrees east, it could remain there or could be moved slightly to 19.2 degrees east, Astra 2B could then take some of the Astra 2C frequencies/channels and the rest of Astra 2C frequencies/channels could be shared between the other Astra 1KR, Astra 1L, and Astra 1M satellites at the 19.2 degrees east satellite position, this would then release Astra 2C to be moved to 28.2 degrees east where it would remain, Astra 1N could then be moved to 19.2 degrees east, this solution would also sort of keep the original "SES-Astra" master plan sort of in it's original state.‚ ‚© Rob's Satellite TV

5) Those are the main possibilities that come to mind but there may be others too.‚ ‚© Rob's Satellite TV

So there we are, those are my theories as to what could and can be done to help "SES-Astra" to alleviate some of the problems that this Astra 2E delay has brought upon them during this difficult time, personally despite what Astra 2E and it's beams will possibly mean for lots of you I must say that I actually feel quite sorry for "SES-Astra" at this time, they have had absolutely no luck whatsoever regarding Astra 2E, nothing at all has gone right at for them.

That took some thinking and writing so I do hope that it was all worth it and that it is a pleasant and enlightening read for you all.

"Rob's Satellite TV" giving you the whole picture in and with colour, you always get the full and complete picture from "Rob's",‚ you know it makes sense and really‚ there is nowhere quite like "Rob's"!‚ 

 

UPDATE‚ 02/07/13 at 18.30 - This from "ILS" (International Launch Services) regarding the launch catastrophe this morning, "The launch of the Proton M/Block DM-03 mission with three Glonass navigational satellites for the Russian Federal Government resulted in a failure today. ‚ About ten seconds after lift-off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8:38 am local time, the rocket veered off of its flight path and returned to earth" and "The impact occurred in a safe area that was evacuated for the launch and all personnel are reported to be unharmed. From early reports, there was no damage to either launch Pad 39 or 24, near the impact area; there is only minor damage to nearby buildings", this quoted "Pad 39" is significant because "Pad 39" is or possibly now was where "Astra 2E" was to be launched from, there will now be investigations by the "Russian Space Agency and also by "ILS", the latter of which will be sure to be including some "SES-Astra" personnel‚ 

 

UPDATE‚ 02/07/13 at 12.30 - "Boom Bang-a-Bang"!

 

UPDATE‚ 02/07/13 at 10.00 - The "Astra 2E" satellite launch will be delayed following this morning's "Proton-M" rocket launch crash at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, according to a source "There will be no launches from Baikonur for about two to three months", this is very bad news for "SES-Astra" who do have a "master plan" for the 28.2 and 19.2 degrees east satellite positions and they really could have done without any further delays or problems regarding the launch of "Astra 2E", this is not good, for more on this morning's crash please see‚ HERE

 

UPDATE‚ 02/07/13 at 08.00 - Oh dear and there will ‚ now be a delay! This is very much "Astra 2E" related, this morning there was a "Proton-M" rocket launch carrying "Glonass" satellites from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan,‚ the problem is that this satellite launch crashed shortly after lift off, this now means an investigation and there will be a delay on all future launches from Baikonur,‚ this now crashed launch would have been the last launch from Baikonur before the expected "Astra 2E" launch,, the "Proton-M" rocket which is what "Astra 2E" will also be launched on was the problem this morning so they are going to have to find out what caused this rocket failure, the "Astra 2E" launch will now inevitibly be delayed, I will have more on this later

 

UPDATE‚ 01/07/13 at 21.00 - Some general "Astra 2E" information from "SES-Astra", the "Astra 2E" satellite will be launched on board an ILS Proton Breeze M booster from pad 39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sunday 21 July, 2013, I have already previously said that this will be‚ an evening of Saturday the 20th of July, 2013 launch in the UK and Central Europe with the scheduled launch time of the "Astra 2E" satellite at 2243 and 57 seconds UK time, 2343 and 57 seconds Central European time, 2143 and 57 seconds GMT/UTC (Universal Coordinated Time), further informations are that "Astra 2E" has‚ 60 Ku-band transponders and 3 wideband Ka-band transponders, it‚ will serve to deliver next generation broadcast, VSAT and broadband services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at the prime orbital location of 28.2* East, and it has a launch mass of 6020 kg and it has‚ a life expectancy of 15 plus years, you really wanted to know that didn't you!‚ 

 

UPDATE‚ 29/06/13 at 22.00 - An update on the "Astra 2E" satellite launch and it is in fact as I said an evening of Saturday the 20th of July, 2013 launch in the UK and Central Europe, the scheduled launch time of the "Astra 2E" satellite is 2243 and 57 seconds UK time, 2343 and 57 seconds Central European time,‚ 2143 and 57 seconds GMT/UTC (Universal Coordinated Time)

 

UPDATE‚ 27/06/13 at 10.00 - Another Astra 2E photo from SES-Astra

Astra 2E‚ being unloaded from its transport train in Baikonur

 

UPDATE‚ 25/06/13 at 09.00 - SES-Astra Satellite Happenings 2 -‚ So, if as is my expectation that the Astra 1N satellite which is currently at the 28.2 degrees east satellite position but is scheduled to move to the 19.2 degrees east satellite position after it has been cleared of it's frequencies and channels following Astra 2E's arrival and in service at 28.2 degrees east what is to come next for Astra 1N? You can see in my post below the timeline for Astra 2E, if all goes according to the current scheduled plan for Astra 2E then the transfer of all traffic from Astra 1N to Astra 2E should have been completed by the 14th of September, 2013 but as I have alluded to in my post below it could have been completed by as early as the 7th of September, 2013 because there is a little urgency needed too so when Astra 2E arrives at 28.2 degrees east there will be no time wasted in the transfer from Astra 1N to Astra 2E and there will be no time wasted too in moving Astra 1N from the 28.2 degrees east satellite position to the 19.2 degrees east satellite position, so if we apply this logic then we could be seeing Astra 1N on the move to 19.2 degrees east by or during the second week of September, 2013 and it could well have arrived at 19.2 degrees east by or during the third week of September, 2013, Astra 1N's mission at 19.2 degrees east is twofold, firstly Astra 1N will take all of the frequencies and channels that are on the Astra 2C satellite because Astra 2C is scheduled to be relocated at 28.2 degrees east as a back up satellite, Astra 2C currently broadcasts many subscription channels fro "Sky Germany" and "Canal+ Spain" but what is of more interest to myself and I am sure many of you are the free to air channels that Astra 2C broadcasts which include the 11.836 H "Das Erste" and some other German regional channels, the 11.954 H, "ZDF" and some other ZDF channels, 12.051 V the Swiss and Austrian versions of the "ProSiebenSat.1" channels, 12.109 H "RBB" and some other German regional channels, and 12.148 H which has variety of channels, all of the above will be moved from Astra 2C to Astra 1N, that is a total of 15 transponders/frequencies but Astra 1N is a big satellite with lots more room to take more transponders/frequencies from other satellite at 19.2 degrees east too so what else will be moved to Astra 1N, well, as long ago as the 21st of December of 2012 would you believe I posted on this website that Astra 1L as well as Astra 2C would have their transponders/frequencies moved to Astra 1N, Astra 1L currently broadcasts 28 transponders/frequencies which would fit very nicely on Astra 1N alongside the Astra 2C transponders/frequencies that will also be moved to Astra 1N, channels on Astra 1L include the 11303 H HD "Servus TV" and "ORF" channels, 11.347 V HD "ZDF" channels, 11.597 V "BBC World", "CNBC" and "Bloomberg" channels, 12.188 H "RTL" Germany channels, 12226 H "RTL" Austria and Swiss channels, 12.544 H the German versions of the "ProSiebenSat.1" channels,‚ 12.603 H "Sky News International" and other German "WDR" regional channels in HD and SD, and the SD "ORF" encrypted channels on 12.663 H and 12.692 H, there are also many subscription channels in various languages on Astra 1L, so Astra 2C currently has 15 active transponders/frequencies, Astra 1L‚ currently has 28 active transponders/frequencies, that would make a total of 43 transponders/frequencies which will be moved to Astra 1N when it arrives at 19.2 degrees east, of course "SES-Astra" could take some transponders/frequencies from the other satellites at 19.2 degrees east and put them on Astra 1N, as well as Astra 1L these other 19.2 degrees east satellites are Astra 1M and Astra 1KR, in my opinion Astra 1N will not take transponders/frequencies from Astra 1M, that is a certainty as much as certainties are certain regarding satellite happenings so it leaves Astra 1L and Astra 1KR, it is possible that Astra 1N will take some of the Astra 1L and Astra 1KR transponders/frequencies on a shared move to Astra 1N but I am predicting that Astra 1L as well as Astra 2C will be the satellites whose transponders/frequencies/channels that will be moved to Astar 1N and this is partly based on my observations of "SES-Astra" in that they do not like transponders/frequencies/channels spread out over various satellites with those various satellites also having spare capacity and generally not being full, "SES-Astra" seem to like to have their spare capacity basically concentrated on individual back up satellites which can basically be switched off and remain in stand by mode thus saving power in the long term which is better for "SES-Astra" in the long term too and not forgetting the fact that Astra 1H is no longer at 19.2 degrees east so that particular satellite cannot be utilised as a back up satellite for 19.2 degrees east, so in conclusion and if it does indeed all happen the way I am predicting it will happen then Astra 1N moves to 19.2 degrees east and takes over the transponders of Astra 2C and Astra 1L which will leave Astra 2C to be moved to 28.2 degrees east and Astra 1L as a back up satellite at 19.2 degrees east, what about Astra 1N's coverage I hear you ask, will my reception be affected once all these channels move to Astra 1N you are shouting in my ear, Astra 1N has two Pan European beams as well as a UK beam, I am expecting that the future Astra 1N reception at 19.2 degrees east will be the same as the current Astra 1M reception at 19.2 degrees east so if you can receive Astra 1M then you will receive Astra 1N, once again‚ please do remember where you read it first and don't forget that all important "link" if you use the information contained here somewhere else, everyone knows it all comes from "Rob's Satellite TV", this is one of the most widely read satellite websites in Europe for God's sakes! LOL! Copyright "Rob's Satellite TV"

 

UPDATE‚ 24/06/13 at 23.00 - SES-Astra Satellite Happenings 1 -‚ So, if there will be no delay and the "Astra 2E" is launched on the evening of Saturday the 20th of July, 2013 what will be to come next? Allow "Rob" to clarify the expected timetable of "Astra 2E", as I said, an expected launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, in Kazahksat on the evening of Saturday the 20th of July, 2013 UK and Central European time, following the launch and orbiting of Astra 2E iand as has already been confirmed on this website this satellite will be placed at the 43.5 degrees east satellite position for testing before being moved to the 28.2 degrees east satellite position to commence UK TV operation, I am expecting the Astra 2E satellite to arrive at 43.5 degrees east around the 30th or 31st of July, 2013 where it will be tested for approximately a period of approximately four weeks, this 43.5 degrees east testing period should have been completed by the 27th or 28th of August, 2013 in which case Astra 2E will then be moved from 43.5 degrees east to 28.2 degrees east, this move will take approximately one week and I am expecting the Astra 2E satellite to arrive at the 28.2 degrees east satellite position on the 2nd or 3rd of September, 2013, Astra 2E will then be officially announced as in service and operational and following this arrival at the 28.2 degrees east satellite position Astra 2E will then be ready to be activated for broadcasts, and mark my words, Astra 2E will take broadcasts very quickly indeed, the temporary at 28.2 degrees east Astra 1N satellite is needed quickly at it's original intended home of 19.2 degrees east so I am expecting a quick transition and transfer of Astra 1N's frequencies and channels to Astra 2E, this could begin as early as the 6th of September, 2013 and will continue through the second week of September with 10th and 11th of September being further likely dates for further transfers from Astra 1N to Astra 2E, I also expect that the transfer of frequencies and channels from Astra 1N to Astra 2E will have been completed by the 14th of September, 2013, of course all of the above is dependent on Astra 2E being tested at 43.5 degrees east for four weeks but there is a possibility that Astra 2E could only be tested at 43.5 degrees east for only three weeks and if this is indeed the case then testing could be completed by the 20th or 21st of August, 2013 which is when Astra 2E can begin it's move to 28.2 degrees east arriving at 28.2 degrees east at around the 26th or 27th of August, 2013 with possibly some transfer of frequencies and channels from Astra 1N to Astra 2E beginning at around the 30th of August, 2013 with a transfer completion date of the 7th of September, as with all things regarding satellite launches and subsequent in service, plans can and do change for various reasons but I hope my article has brought you some clarity and some timeline regarding the Astra 2E situation and please do remember where you read it first and don't forget that all important "link" if you use the information contained here somewhere else, and a little bonus to come is that‚ I will have more on the Astra 1N plans for 19.2 degrees east in the days to come because it warrants a separate posting, this will be called "SES-Astra Satellite Happenings 2", why not join the world leader of satellite happenings "Rob's Satellite TV" Forum, new membership is for a limited time only, I would not wish you to miss out on the phenomenon‚ and the trending that is‚ "Rob's Satellite TV"!

 

UPDATE‚ 24/06/13‚ at 21.30 - An Astra 2E photo from SES-Astra

Astra 2E arrived at it's destination safe and sound

 

UPDATE‚ 19/06/13 at 20.00 - As I have alluded to a couple of days ago and in light of the recent announcement by "SES-Astra" that the Astra 2E satellite will now be launched on the 21st of July, 2013‚ (local time Kazakhstan) I am still suspecting that the Astra 2E satellite will be launched on the evening of the 20th of July, 2013 (local time UK and Central Europe), It is still very possible!

 

UPDATE‚ 19/06/13 at 20.00 - I see that "SES-Astra" have been very busy in Asia lately signing capacity agreements for the broadcasting of services via various satellites to the region, agreements have been signed for distribution to Pakistan, Taiwan, The Philippines, and Thailand, this is good news for Asia but of course the Pay TV market in Asia whilst growing at an alarming rate can also be an expensive and out of reach option for the ordinary Asian whose work salary in not the best, take Thailand for instance, the main Pay TV operator in Thailand is "True Visions", to subscribe to the top "Platinum" package which has 145 channels would cost monthly 2,000 Thai Baht for the channel package and an extra 155 Thai Baht fee for the equipment rental, this would be 2,155 Thai Baht monthly which in British Pounds would be 45 Pounds, not exactly cheap for Asia considering the well known low work salaries paid, add to this,‚ the extra individual costing premium channels packages such as the "HBO", "Discovery", and "Disney" which would cost 370 Thai Baht on top monthly this would then bring the total monthly outlay to 2,525 Thai Baht which is 53 British Pounds monthly, a lot of money for your average Thai and average Asian in general because the other Asian countries would have a similar cost for their own Pay TV local varieties of a "True Visions"/"Sky" type service, and mark my words, there are now Pay TV services of the "True Visions"/"Sky" variety in every country in Asia, as I said, it is not exactly cheap for your average Asian citizen or in this instance Thai citizen, a Thai national could buy a month's worth of food for the 2,525 Thai Baht per month or 53 British Pounds per month that it costs for the full package of Pay TV, luckily there is a plethora of free channels dotted around the Asian satellite arc and many Asian countries do have Free TV channels available on satellite but like every country in the world, the Free TV is nowhere near as good as the Pay TV, but without a doubt the Asian market is a very big market for the satellite companies, Asian satellite television means big profits for the satellite companies and who can blame them for their massive expansion in Asian capacity but 53 British Pounds/2,525 Thai Baht a month is a lot of money for the UK/European satellite viewer to stomach so imagine how the Thai (and Asian) satellite viewer feels about it,‚ my Thailand example of Pay TV pricing puts it into a little more perspective don't you think? For your reference purposes the "True Visions" website can be found‚ HERE‚ and‚ your feedback on this piece is most welcome

 

19/06/13 at 20.00 - "SES-Astra" have announced that their current President and CEO "Romain Bausch" is stepping down in April, 2014 and the new President and CEO from that date will be‚ "Karim Michel Sabbagh", I wonder if this change will mean a possible change for the better on the information giving and releasing side! LOL!, I very much doubt it but it would be nice if it did! LOL!, besides April 2014 will be after the "Astra 2G" satellite launch, we will all have lost interest in any information of any sort by then! LOL!

 

UPDATE‚ 18/06/13 at 21.00 - Astra 2E is manufactured by Astrium and on the Astrium website there is a nice little‚ animation sequence which is especially good for my not so technical and/or new to satellite technology readers, if you are at a loss as to what makes a satellite it‚ does not get much better than this little animated explanation,‚ this really should win an award for it's simple and clear explanation and description of all the different elements that make up a communications satellite and their various functions, I will link the page soon but once on the page please scroll down the page, put your mouse over the play icon, then once the animated satellite separates put your mouse over the different parts of the separated satellite for more information about that particular part of the satellite and what it is for, the page is‚ HERE‚ , NJOY!

 

UPDATE‚ 18/06/13 at 21.00 - Two Astra 2E photos from SES-Astra

This one is‚ Astra 2E being unloaded from its transport casing at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan

And this one is‚ Astra 2E having safely arrived at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan

 

UPDATE‚ 18/06/13 at 10.00 - A further update regarding yesterday's announcement by "SES-Astra" that the Astra 2E satellite‚ "will now be processed for a July 21st launch (local time Baikonur) on board a Proton launch vehicle." is that I am reliably informed that no actual launch time has been allocated yet at this stage. And yet again, it is "Rob's Satellite TV" giving it to you baby!

 

UPDATE‚ 18/06/13 at 10.00 - The "ILS" (International Launch Services) who are the responsible party regarding for the "Proton-M/Briz-M" rocket launch of the Astra 2E satellite now have a dedicated "current mission" Astra 2E page, see‚ HERE‚ 

 

UPDATE‚ 17/06/13 at 20.00 - In light of no further information or clarification such as time of launch regarding today's announcement by "SES-Astra" that the Astra 2E satellite will now be launched on the 21st of July, 2013‚ (local time Kazakhstan) can I presume that the Astra 2E satellite will be launched on the evening of the 20th of July, 2013 (local time UK and Central Europe)? It is very possible!‚ 

 

UPDATE‚ 17/06/13 at 18.30 - An Astra 2E update from "SES-Astra" is that the Astra 2E satellite "has safely arrived at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The spacecraft will now be processed for a July 21st launch (local time Baikonur) on board a Proton launch vehicle.", and that Astra 2E "will carry 60 Ku-band transponders, as well as 3 wideband Ka-band transponders. It will enable the delivery of next generation broadcast and broadband services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa".‚ More to come on all this soon

 

UPDATE‚ 14/06/13 at 18.30 - Latest "Astra 2E" news is that this satellite arrived this morning at the "Baikonur Cosmodrome" launch site in Kazakhstan where it will now undergo full and thorough testing, everything will be checked and double checked so that "Asta 2E" is 100% fit and ready for a successful and problem free launch on the 19th of July, 2013‚ 

 

UPDATE‚ 12/06/13 at 22.30 - So now that we know that the "Astra 2E" satellite is to be tested at the 43.5 degrees east orbital position following it's launch on July the 19th at 22.43 UK time/23.43 Central European time/21.43 UTC-GMT what is next? The launch and early orbit phase will last approximately ten days, this is because following the Astra 2E launch it will need many tests both before, during, and after it's placement at 43.5 degrees east before "Astra 2E" can be officially handed over to "SES-Astra" who will then commence their own period of testing, so allowing for a ten day period we can expect "SES-Astra" to be given full control of "Astra 2E" sometime around the 29th/30th of July, following this handover "SES-Astra" should then commence it's own period of the testing of "Astra 2E", it is not known how long this period of testing will take but I feel sure that this will be a period of intense testing because "SES-Astra" have a timetable in place and they would like "Astra 2E" to be officially operational at the 28.2 degrees east satellite position by the beginning of September. 2013 so I think "SES-Astra" will have everyone‚ working the weekends too and all holidays will be cancelled, I would anticipate that some "SES-Astra" emplyees have already taken their holidays, this is not dissimilar to all of us too, I will place a bet that none of you have holidays booked for the July/August period, this period of "SES-Astra" testing of "Astra 2E" at the 43.5 degrees east satellite position should have been completed by the third week of August in which case "Astra 2E" can then be moved to the 28.2 degrees east satellite position where it should have arrived at said 28.2 degrees east satellite position by the end of August all ready for and awaiting official activations and channel changes and moves from other satellites according to the bigger "SES-Astra" plan, I hope that this brings some clarity to teh situation for all of you, naturally "Rob's Satellite TV" is the place to to be to find out all the latest developments regarding the "Astra 2E" launch, testing, and subsequent in service news, just like it was when "Astra 1N" and "Astra 2F" were launched and "Astra 2B" was cleared when "Rob" told everyone what would be happening and his many internet "trolls" told him he was wrong, "Rob" was right and his many internet "trolls" were wrong! Enough said!

 

UPDATE‚ 12/06/13 at 20.00 - The "Astra 2E" satellite is to be tested at the 43.5 degrees east orbital position following it's launch on July the 19th, this is the same satellite position that the "Astra 2F" satellite was tested at

 

02/06/13 at 23.00 - "SES-Astra" satellite‚ "SES-6" which will be placed at the 40.5 degrees west satellite position is scheduled for launch on the morning of June the 3rd (tomorrow morning) at 10.18 UK time/11.18 Central European time, "SES-6" launches‚ from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a "Proton-M/Briz-M" rocket launcher and upper stage combination, you can watch this "SES-6" satellite launch live in HD on the "SES-6 Launch" channel which is on the Astra satellite at 19.2 degrees east frequency of 11.626 Vertical, Symbol Rate 22.000, FEC 2/3 DVB-S2 8PSK, the next launch which follows this launch which is of this same type and from this same facility is of course the "Astra 2E" satellite on July the 19th, this is the satellite we are all waiting for but while we are waiting we may as well look at the "SES-6" launch, this might go smoothly or it might not go smoothly,‚ I do hope that it does go smoothly, "SES-Astra" could do with a break, they currently really do have a very tight schedule to adhere to, slip ups they could well do without

 

UPDATE‚ 08/05/13 at 13.00 - Astra 2E -‚ I am getting a lot of correspondence from people on the continent who are worried because they are reading, hearing, and being told a lot of out of date information regarding Astra 2E's launch and subsequenct commencement of service, the main concern is that people on the continent are going to be losing their UKTV reception very soon, people are reading or being told that they will lose their UKTV in May, June or July, let me clarify the situation, Astra 2E is scheduled for launch on July the 19th, following launch it will need to be stabilised, this will probably take at least a week, Astra 2E will then need to be placed at a non 28.2 degrees east testing position for extensive testing‚ to make sure that everything is in order with the satellite, The Astra 2F satellite was tested at the 43.5 degrees east satellite position before being moved to 28.2 degrees east following it's launch and this testing lasted for about a month, so allowing for a similar scenario regarding Astra 2E's launch, testing, and commencement of service then we are talking about the very end of August/the very beginning of September at the earliest before we see Astra 2E being announced as officially in service, nothing is going to be happening/changing regarding your‚ BBC/ITV e.t.c. reception before then, all this is of course subject to the existing current plan being without delay and problem free, if you are reading different elsewhere and/or someone else is telling you otherwise just you tell them that "Rob says ......"!

 

UPDATE‚ 08/05/13 at 13.00 - Astra 2E -‚ The‚ Astra 2E satellite which is the one we are waiting for is scheduled for launch on July the 19th on board a‚ Proton-M/Briz-M‚ rocket from‚ the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan‚ but‚ from the same facility and on the same rocket type‚ there is another satellite launch due before Astra 2E's launch, this launch is scheduled for June the 3rd and it is the SES-6 satellite which will be placed at the 40.5 degrees west satellite position following successful launch, now I don't want to tempt fate here but there have been some problems regarding Proton launches from Baikonur of late and any problem with this SES-6 launch will inevitably have a knock on effect regarding Astra 2E's launch date so this SES-6 satellite launch is one that we are paying close attention to in respect of subsequent Astra 2E proceedings, according to SES-Astra, SES-6 which is manufactured for SES-Astra by EADS Astrium is now at Baikonur and "is now being processed for launch", the Astra 2E satellite is one of three further satellites also being manufactured for SES-Astra by EADS Astrium which is "currently in final integration and tests in Astrium facilities" in France

 

UPDATE‚ 03/05/13 at 22.30 - Astra 2B -‚ What is to be of Astra 2B at 19E? Could the mystery finally be "sol-ved" as "Inspector Clouseau" would say?! Oh Shit, I hear you say, "Rob"‚ is off one one of his tangents again!‚ Don't worry, I will try to keep it short! Once upon a time ... (LOL!), Until recently the Astra 2B satellite was at the 28.2 degrees east satellite position but following Astra 2F's arrival at this position "SES-Astra" moved Astra 2B to the 19.2 degrees east satellite position, it is in actual fact currently at 19.4 degrees east but I will come to that later, but why oh why was Astra 2B at the "19" degrees east position, well the answer as always lies in the fact that SES-Astra have and had a bigger plan and I believe that the reason that Astra 2B was moved to 19.2 degrees east is because SES-Astra want to‚ provide Ku-band coverage of Southern Africa from "19" degrees east, Astra 2B would allow SES-Astra to expand service to Southern Africa from the 19.2 degrees satellite position, before Astra 2B was moved from 28.2 to 19.2 another satellite was moved to 19.2, this was the AMC-2 satellite which was previously at 4.98 degrees east, SES-Astra filed a request to move AMC-2 to 19.2 degrees east so that it could provide Ku-band coverage of Southern Africa, AMC-2 was last year indeed moved to 19.2 but it has recently been moved from 19.2 degrees east and it is on it's way to it's new home of 80.85 west, so one would logically assume that what was once AMC -2's remit would‚ in the grand scheme of things‚ now be Astra 2B's remit which would mean that the reason that Astra 2B was moved to the 19.2 degrees east satellite position is to provide coverage and allow SES-Astra to expand service to Southern Africa by opening up yet another SES-Astra satellite position for Southern Africa, regarding the exact satellite positionings of both the AMC-" and Astra 2B satellites at "19" degrees east, SES-Astra does have many satellites positioned at 19.2 degrees east and for presumably safety and operational reasons these two satellites were not exactly placed at 19.2, AMC-2's exact position was 19.0, Astra 2B's exact position is 19.4, is it just a coincidence that both satellites were placed 0.2 degrees away from the main 19.2 degrees east satellites, or is it something more sinister, the fact that Astra 2B does have some previous history regarding broadcasting to Africa while it was at the 28.2 degrees east satellite position, albeit these broadcasts were to Western Africa‚ and Ghana specifically but the important thing to remember is that the beam is steerable, the fact that Astra 2B has 16 African beam transponders at it's disposal makes my reasoning all the more plausible as to why Astra 2B was moved to 19.4 degrees east, and that reason is that Astra 2B's new mission is to serve Southern Africa,‚ the mystery is finally "sol-ved", simples! There, it is always worth reading it to the end! You know it and "Rob" makes sense! For reference purposes below is the Astra 2B West Africa Beam from when 2B was at 28.2 degrees east‚ 

 

01/05/13 at 11.00 - Astra 2F does Ka-band internet for the UK, the latest SES-Astra press release contains the following information "SES announced today that it has signed an agreement with BeyonDSL for the distribution of SES Broadband in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The new satellite internet service is marketed by BeyonDSL under the brand name "Satellite Internet" and offers download speeds of up to 20 Mbit/s.", the information relating to the use of Astra 2F to deliver this service is as follows, "The service uses Ka-band capacity on SES' ASTRA 2F satellite located at the orbital position 28.2 degrees East.", please read the full SES-Astra press release which can be found‚ HERE

 

24/04/13 at 10.30 - Now I know that SES-Astra are currently testing "Ultra HD" transmissions but to be honest with you I don't think my eyes can take it! But seriously though, you can read more about SES's "Ultra HD" transmissions‚ HERE‚ , what does interest me more that is coming from SES-Astra in conjunction with some other companies is the following announcement "SES, Inverto, Abilis and MaxLinear Inc. today announced that they have been jointly designing an essential component for cost-effective IP distribution of satellite television to the home - the first low-noise block down-converter (LNB) that will incorporate eight-channel satellite-to-IP bridging technology.", now I really like this idea and reading further the full SES-Astra announcement has the following "The IP-LNB is a prototype device that will deliver eight concurrent channels from any of the transponders of a satellite orbital position. These channels may be forwarded via IP unicast or multicast to fixed and portable devices. Satellite signals will be distributed via Ethernet, power-line communications (PLC) or a Wi-Fi local area network (LAN). The technology can be used for free-to-air (FTA) or pay TV applications." and "This new technology enables the satellite signal to be sampled digitally directly at the antenna, making the satellite spectrum data and other link-quality metrics accessible over the LAN. These advancements greatly simplify the dish installation and enable remote monitoring from the LAN." As I said, I really like the idea of this particular innovation from all the companies concerned, this is in the development stage but I for one very much look forward to this being widely available, for the full SES-Astra article on this "IP-LNB" please see‚ HERE‚  ‚ 

 

UPDATE‚ 16/04/13 at 19.30 - Astra 2F - "SES-Astra" have reiterated to me that the "Astra 2F" satellite has absolutely no problems whatsoever and it is operating according to the plan set out for it by SES-Astra, please also see the March 4th statement‚ HERE

 

UPDATE 01/04/13 at 23.30 - Astra 2E -‚ It's a July 19th Launch!‚ The‚ scheduled‚ launch date of the "Astra 2E" satellite from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a "Proton-M/Briz-M" rocket launcher and upper stage combination is on Friday the 19th of July, 2013,‚ the planned "Proton" launch schedule from Baikonur is now as follows :- Anik G1 on the 15th of April, Eutelsat 3D on the 14th of May, SES-6 on the 3rd of June, and Astra 2E on the 19th of July. Don't forget that you can keep up to date with all the latest Astra 2E happenings with "Rob's" very unique and world renowned take on all things satellite and as is usual with "Astra" launches "Rob's Satellite TV" is‚ the best place for finding out what is really about to happen and what is really actually happening, everyone remembers "Rob's" correct‚ Astra's 1N and Astra 2F "predictions", Rob and his "Crystal Ball" can now be found hard at work on the dedicated Astra 2E page‚ HERE

 

31/03/13 at 19.00‚ - Astra 2E -‚ On one of my pages there is now a "Google Map" which has been placed in readiness for Astra 2E's launch and the subsequent reception reports following activation, have a play around with it/familiarise yourselves with it before the real action begins, the map can be found‚ HERE‚ 

 

UPDATE 30/03/13 at 12.00 - Astra 2E -‚ It's a July Launch!

27/03/13 at 10.00 - This news is regarding Astra 2E which is due for launch in June of this year aboard a "Proton" rocket launcher from the "Baikonur Cosmodrome" in Kazakhstan, as has been well documented before, there have been problems and subsequent delays with launches from "Baikonur", following recommencement of launches the "Satmex 8" satellite was successfully launched last night, if there had been further problems with "Baikonur" launches regarding this launch then this would have meant that the "Astra 2E" launch date would have been further delayed, there are further scheduled launches to come from "Baikonur" which will be before the "Astra 2E" launch which could or could not cause a problem for the "Astra 2E" launch, naturally I will keep you updated all things "Astra 2E" related from "Baikonur"

 

UPDATE 06/03/13 at 12.30 - Astra 2F -‚ According to "SES-Astra" and I quote "Astra 2F‚ is a healthy satellite and has an important mission as part of our fleet. All our fleet and channel movements are according to plan. Please understand that we cannot always publish all details of our fleet planning."‚ 

 

UPDATE 05/03/13 at 19.30 - Astra 2E -‚ The soon to come new replacement satellite‚ for the 28.2 degrees east satellite position which is called "Astra 2E" and which will not be launched until Early/Mid June, 2013 will not be "officially" operational at 28.2 degrees east until August, 2013, naturally some testing of this satellite will occur before it becomes "officially operational". "Astra 2E" will be launched aboard a "Proton" launcher from the "Baikonur Cosmodrome" in Kazakhstan

 

UPDATE 01/03/13 at 20.00 - Eutelsat 28.5 East Frequencies -

"Eutelsat" have released a press statement which reads as follows‚ 

"Statement on use by Eutelsat of German filing at 28.5‚° East"

"Paris, 28 February 2013 - Eutelsat and Deutsche Telekom AG have reached a final settlement to the dispute regarding the duration of Eutelsat's right to use a German filing at the 28.5‚° East orbital position, without prejudice to the parties' respective positions concerning the subject of the dispute."

"Both parties have consequently agreed that arbitration proceedings initiated in 2011 before the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce will be terminated. The Court of Arbitration is shortly expected to issue a decision by consent which will reflect the settlement agreed by both parties."

"The exact terms of the settlement will remain confidential."

It does not tell us much does it? And it was not on the Eutelsat website last night (the 28th) either! We must await The Court of Arbitration to shortly issue a decision‚ which will reflect the settlement agreed by both parties before we find out anymore but as this is a "final settlement" between "Eutelsat" and "Deutsche Telekom" one has to ask the following question - Has "Eutelsat" succeeded in it's argument that "Deutsche Telekom" (the original holder of the "28.5" frequencies) had no rights to transfer the "28.5" frequencies to "Media Broadcast" who subsequently sold these frequencies to "SES-Astra"? The answer may be yes and a "final settlement" of some sort was reached, what this "final settlement" consists of is currently unknown, we await further developments

 

UPDATE 23/02/13 at 20.00 - Astra 2B -‚ The‚ Astra 2B satellite is now at‚ it's new satellite "home" of the 19.2 degrees east satellite position, watch this space for more, we await developments

 

UPDATE 20/02/13 at 19.30 - Astra 2E -‚ There is some speculation that the‚ launch of the new‚ Astra 2E‚ satellite for the 28.2 degrees east satellite position could now be delayed until Early June, 2013, I have previously given you the 20th of May, 2013 as the possible launch date but I have also previously gone into much detail regarding the problems and subsequent delays with satellite launches aboard the "Proton" launcher from the "Baikonur Cosmodrome" in Kazakhstan, without going into too much detail again and covering the same ground (please read my previous postings on this subject) the next scheduled new satellite launch from "Baikonur" is the "Satmex 8" satellite, this satellite should have been launched on the 28th of December, 2012 but due to the"Proton" problems was then subsequently scheduled for launch on the 15th of March comes the news that the "Satmex 8" launch date now has had a further delay imposed and it will now be launched on the 27th of March, 2013, subsequent new satellite launches are delayed as a result, this would naturally include "Astra 2E" and it could now quite possibly be an Early June, 2013 launch for "Astra 2E", "Rob's Satellite TV", The Voice of Reason!

 

UPDATE 20/02/13 at 19.30 - Astra 2B -‚ The‚ Astra 2B satellite is now in ther process of arriving at‚ it's new satellite "home" of the 19.2 degrees east satellite position, watch this space for more

 

UPDATE 09/02/13 at 21.30 - Astra 2B -‚ The‚ Astra 2B satellite is now in the process of being moved from it's old "home" of the‚ 28.2 degrees east satellite position to it's new "home" of the 19.2 degrees east satellite position, Rob did tell you that this was going to be happening, stick with Rob's, First with all SES-Astra's

 

UPDATE 04/02/13 at 23.00 -‚ Possible problems‚ regarding the launch‚ of the Astra 2E satellite which could cause (and most probably is causing) major headaches for‚ "SES-Astra"‚ is the news that following the problems encountered last year with the "Yamal-402" satellite launch‚ aboard the "Proton" rocket launcher and more specifically the "Breeze" upper stage‚ from the same Baikonur Cosmodrome launch facility in Kazakhstan that Astra 2E is scheduled to be launched from and the subsequent suspension of all Proton launches from Baikonur until a thorough investigation was carried out regarding the Breeze upper stage there has since has been another episode of a Breeze problem, this was aboard a "Rockot" launcher from the same facility and while the Rockot launcher is different from the Proton launcher they are both similar in having the need for the Breeze upper stage and while the Breeze version assigned to both launchers has a slight variation and is specific to each launcher it is basically the same in principle and what it does, also in laymens terms the Breeze upper stage needs to work much harder when it is aboard the Proton launcher that it does when it is aboard the Rockot launcher, as I said this latest Rocket/Breeze problem is a worry, another concern is the news that there seems to be a bit of a political dispute going on between Kazakhstan and Russia at the moment regarding the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Russia is currently constructing a new launch facility in Russia (Vostochny) which would reduce or possibly completely remove it's dependency on using Kazahkstan (Baikonur) for it's launches, Kazakhstan has reduced the number of launches for 2013 from 17 to 12, this reduction could be because of the current political dispute but could also be because of the suspension and subsequent delays in upcoming launches which has a knock on effect in the amount of launches that can be launched during 2013, as I said, this means possible problems for the launch of Astra 2E by "SES-Astra" whose latest "provisional" launch date is the 20th of May of this year, naturally all of the above (and below) could have an effect on 28.2 and 19.2 degrees east satellite business

 

 

UPDATE 03/02/13 at 20.00 - Astra 2B and all the rest of it! -‚ Now that Astra 2B has been cleared of all it's frequencies and channels what is expected to happen next,‚ firstly I must remind you of the original "SES-Astra" plan, Astra 2B was scheduled to be emptied of all transmissions and subsequently moved from 28.2 degrees east to 19.2 degrees east, this move to 19.2 is for back up capacity and also some broadcast transmissions, Astra 2B's move is sort of separate/detached to all the other "happenings" which are scheduled to happen, these are, during the second and third quarter of this year the following is/was the original plan of what should/would happen, Astra 2E's launch and placing at 28.2 degrees east, the subsequent Astra 1N move from 28.2 degrees east to 19.2 degrees east and then the Astra 2C move from 19.2 degrees east to 28.2 degrees east. The problem for "SES-Astra" is twofold, the Astra 2E launch has been delayed and has Astra 2F got a problem or problems as is widely suspected to be the case, Astra 2E's new launch date is the 20th of May this year which means that it will not be operational until sometime in July at the earliest, naturally this July Astra 2E officially active date is subject to everything going according to plan with the launch and placing of Astra 2E, any sort of delay or other problem with Astra 2E's launch would put immense pressure on "SES-Astra regarding timelines and satellite capacity at 28.2 degrees east with a subsequent knock on effect also at the 19.2 degrees east satellite position, as I said, Astra 2F has possibly got problems, this would not be the first (or the last) time that new satellites have had major problems following launch and if it is correct that Astra 2F does have problems then this would mean that the 28.2 degrees satellite position would be short of much needed frequency capacity, so what are "SES-Astra" to do? One thing that they do need to do is make contingency plans because also in the third quarter of this year "SES-Astra" are due to take over lots of extra frequencies from "Eutelsat" at the "28" degrees east satellite position and if the satellite capacity is not there and already in place then big problems ensue, bearing allt his in mind then a possible change to the original "SES-astra" plan could see Astra 2B going to 19.2 degrees east but taking a more active role at this satellite position, once Astra 2B is at 19.2 degrees east we could see a shuffling/sharing/moving of frequencies and channels between all the satellites at this position witht he ultimate aim of clearing Astra 2C of all it's frequencies and channels, this would then allow Astra 2C to move from 19.2 degrees east to 28.2 degrees east thus giving "SES-Astra" some much needed satellite capacity and some much needed contingency and breathing space at 28.2 degrees east, if "SES-Astra" do adopt this route of moving Astra 2C to 28.2 degrees east earlier than the original plan then it would also sort of "unofficially" confirm that Astra 2F does indeed have problems, if when Astra 2B gets to 19.2 degrees east and we then see the moving around of frequencies and channels between the satellites and it looks like Astra 2C is being cleared of it's frequencies and channels then it will be safe to say that Astra 2C will be moving and Astra 2F has problems, we await further developments with anticipation and trepidation. One further thought on the Astra 2B frequencies and channels moving to Astra 1N and not Astra 2F as was expected is that yes Astra 2F could have problems but also it could be possible that Astra 2F does not have problems, the reason for 2B to 1N not 2F moves could be something much simpler, as Astra 1N is scheduled to move from 28.2 degrees east to 19.2 degrees east could "SES-Astra" have put the Astra 2B channels onto Astra 1N so it could test the Pan European Beam, as far as I am aware the only time "SES-Astra" have ever used the Pan European Beam on Astra 1N was only for a very brief period following Astra 1N's launch, just a thought! As I said we await further developments with anticipation and trepidation, I think that "SES-Astra" await further developments with much less anticipation and much more trepidation! LOL!


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UPDATE 29/01/13 at 21.10 - Astra 2E‚ -‚ And here we go again! Is the new launch date for Astra 2E going to be the 20th of May, 2013?! I will have more to come on everything tomorrow!

 

 

 

UPDATE 29/01/13 at 21.10 - Astra 2B - It is still‚ January/Tuesday! -‚ And it has happened in January and on Tuesday! According to SES-Astra all Astra 2B frequencies/channels have now been moved and Astra 2B has been replaced by Astra 2F at the 28.2 degrees east satellite position, they also say that Astra 2B will be moving to the 19.2 degrees east satellite position soon, but we knew that already right?! So what was that all about then?!, Has SES-Astra's lack of information giving made us all think too much to the point of being wrong when we were right in the first place?! "Paranoid" is what we have been turned into, always go with your first instincts is what I was always told and me thinks that is exactly what we will all be doing from now on! And I threw my "Crystal Ball" out in the rubbish too thinking it was now faulty with all this 2B or not 2B 1N stuff! It seems my "Crystal Ball" was right all along and it is not at all faulty! Oh Happy Days! LOL!

 

 

 

UPDATE 29/01/13 at 21.10 - Astra 2B - It is still‚ January! -‚ And it has happened in January! According to SES-Astra all Astra 2B frequencies/channels have now been moved to Astra 2F (what was that all about then?!) More to come on this

 

 

 

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UPDATE 28/01/13 at 19.45 - Astra 2B - Rob told you it was to be January?‚ Continued!

The following are the remaining Astra 2B frequencies which I am expecting to be removed/moved from Astra 2B soon :-

11.973 V SR 27.500 s/beam,

12.032 H SR 27.500 s/beam,

12.344 H SR 29.500 s/beam,

12.382 H SR 29.500‚ n/beam,

12.402 V SR 29.500 n/beam,

12.441 V SE 29.500 s/beam,

12.460 H SR 29.500 n/beam

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The following are the frequencies that have so far been removed/moved from Astra 2B :-

11.992 H SR 27.500 moved from 2B north to 2A north beam

12.012 V SR 29.500 moved from 2B north to 2A north beam

12.070 H SR 27.500 moved from 2B north to 1N ‚ p/e beam 1

12.090 V SR 29.500 moved from 2B north to 1N p/e beam 1

12.148 H SR 27.500 moved from 2A north to 1N p/e beam 1

12.168 V SR 29.500 moved from 2A north to 1N p/e beam 1

12.188 H SR 29.500 moved from 2B south to 1N p/e beam 1

12.207 V SR 27.500 moved from 2B south to 1N p/e beam 1

12.226 H SR 29.500 moved from 2A north to 1N p/e beam 1

12.246 V SR 29.500 moved from 2A north to 1N p/e beam 1

12.266 H SR 29.500 moved from 2B south to 1N p/e beam 1

12.285 V SR 27.500 moved from 2B south to 1N p/e beam 1

12.304 H SR 29.500 moved from 2B north to 1N p/e beam 1

12.324 V SR 29.500 moved from 2B north to 1N p/e beam 1

12.363 V SR 29.500 moved from 2B south to 1N p/e beam 1

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Many Thanks to website contributor "Jim" for providing this information breakdown

 

 

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UPDATE 27/01/13 at 21.15 - Astra 2B - Rob told you it was to be January?‚ Continued!

 

Following the removal/moving of some of Astra 2B's frequencies/channels which Rob told you a long time ago would be happening in January what next? This removal came as no surprise to myself and readers of this website, the only surprise was that these chanenls were not as expected moved to Astra 2F but they were moved to Astra 1N and they were put on Astra 1N's Pan European Beam 1, I have always maintained that Astra 2B (not 2A) was the satellite to be cleared of all it's frequencies/channels and the satellite then moved elsewhere, these latest developments have done nothing to change my mind about that still happening, I expect the remaining Astra 2B frequencies/channels to be removed soon and it is probable that this removal will happen sometime this week, SES-Astra for some reason seem to like Tuesdays and Fridays for this type of thing so shall we say Tuesday at Noon?! LOL!‚ ‚© Rob's Satellite TV 2013‚ - Republishing (cut and pasting) without "Rob's" written consent is prohibited

 

 

UPDATE 26/01/13 at 11.30 - Astra 2B e.t.c. - Rob told you it was to be January? Continued!

What is going on? 12.070 H, 12.090 V, 12.148 H, 12.168 V, 12.188 H, 12.207 V, 12.226 H, 12.266 H, 12.324 V, 12.363 V and many more have moved but where have they moved to? As I have told you previously, the informations I give you are correct at the time I publish them but I cannot be held responsible for any changes to plans that happen thereafter, the recent frequency/channel moves should have been 2B/2A moved to 2F, this was confirmed as planned to happen but it seems that this has not happened according to the plans, unofficial confirmation confirms that the recently moved 2B/2A frequencies/channels have been moved to Astra 1N and that they are now transmitting on 1N's Pan European Beam 1 (1N has two PE Beam's), so what is going on here? SES-Astra have confused us all with this latest "move",‚ Astra 2B frequencies/channels were supposed to be moved to Astra 2F, Astra 2B is supposed to be moved from 28.2 degrees east to 19.2 degrees east, Astra 1N is supposed to be moved from 28.2 degrees east to 19.2 degrees east by Q3 2013 so it can take Astra 2C and Astra 1L's frequencies/channels, so why move the frequencies/channels to 1N? By using the confirmed information planned changes scenario‚ I will try and make sense of this (sorry if it gets a little confusing but I will try and keep it simple), firstly SES-Astra need extra satellites at a few of it's satellite positions, 28.2 degrees east and 19.2 degrees east are the obvious satellite positions that need extra capacity but other satellite positions which are expanding rapidly for SES-Astra are 31.5 degrees east and 23.5 degrees east, and 5 degrees east, SES-Astra are also currently in the middle of a satellite replacement programme because some of it's satellites are nearing the end of their life, confirmed SES-Astra satellites which are scheduled to be relocated are 1N, 2C, 2B, and 2A, without going into too much detail about the why's, what's, and how's, Astra 1N was originally intended to be located at 19.2 degrees east but was temporarily placed at 298.2 degrees east, 1N needs to go to 19.2 degrees east, Astra 2C was originally intended for 28.2 degrees east but was temporarily moved to 19.2 degrees east, 2C needs to go to 28.2 degrees east, Astra 2B needs to be moved to 19.2 degrees east,‚ these planned moves have been confirmed via varyious very reliable sources,‚ it is not known where Astra 2A is to be relocated to but"Rob" thinks 2A will probably move to 31.5 degrees east, once these planned changes happen then SES-Astra can move the even older satellites that it possesses as back up wherever it is needed,‚ of course the one other important addition toi the confusion is that we are waiting for the new Astra 2E 28.2 degrees satellite to be launched and operational by Q3 2013.‚ ‚© Rob's Satellite TV 2013

A good precursor to what SES-Astra's next plans/happenings will be is what happens next to Astra 2B (and to a slightly lesser extent 2A), if Astra 2B (or 2A) are completely emptied of frequencies/channels then SES-Astra will be quickly moving the said satellite to 19.2 degrees east and then bringing Astra 2C from 19.2 degrees east to 28.2 degrees east, there is a little more urgency than previously for SES-Astra to do this because it does have big plans already in place for 28.2 degrees east this year which includes new customers/new frequencies/new channels and also the Astra's taking over most of Eutelsat 28A's frequencies from October 2013, although these frequencies are currently being disputed by the two satellite companies SES-Astra do need to have the capacity in place by the Summer of 2013, it does look like SES-Astra are in a very strong position to get those Eutelsat frequencies, if Astra 2E were to experience problem with another launch delay or problems following launch then SES-Astra would be in a very difficult position regarding the 28.2 degrees east satellite position, they would most certainly be very short of the capacity and back up needed at 28.2 degrees east, 1N needs to stay at 28.2 degrees east until 2E is launched and operational, that is certain, so 2B (or 2A) is the only option, could the currently at 19.2 degrees east Astra 2C which is/was confirmed as scheduled to be cleared of it's frequencies/channels in Q3 2013 now be cleared and moved to 28.2 degrees east sooner than planned, as I said, it is a very fine timeline/timetable that SES-Astra are currently working with, they previously have and will continue to change their original plans as and when it is required to do so, they could indeed have changed the 2C plans, and as I said we need to keep a very close eye on what happens next with Astra 2B (and 2A), 2B cleared out or not 2B cleared out!, 2B moved or not 2B moved!, 2B or not 2B!, we must wait 2C! LOL!

Oh, and one other thing, these recent frequency/channel moves to Astra 1N Pan European Beam 1 rather than the wider coverage 1N Pan European Beam 2 is giving me signals so to speak, as well as the new Astra 2E having a UK and Pan European Beam it also has a Middle East Beam, could the 2B/2A moves to 1N Pan European Beam 1 be to enable SES-Astra to test this beam against the 2E Middle Eastern Beam for possible interference issues prior and following Astra 2E's, apart from the initial directly after launch 1N tests there has been no activity on these new 1N frequencies and beams so SES-Astra need some testing and if Astra 2C is coming to 28.2 degrees east sooner than originally planned then it's Pan European Beam would be the ideal replacement for Astra 1N's Pan European Beam 1, both 1N and 2E beams are similar in that they provide the better solution to possible Astra 2E Middle Eastern beam interference.‚ ‚© Rob's Satellite TV 2013

So in summary, if Astra 2B is cleared of it's frequencies/channels it is going to 19.2 degrees east and then Astra 2C is coming to 28.2 degrees east before Astra 1N goes to 19.2 degrees east, it is possible/probable that Astra 2A will be cleared too but as I said, 2A is for another position, probably 31.5 degrees east, I hope that I have given you some clarity on this currently confusing situation and that I have not confused you too much, Rob's Satellite TV, the Gem (Pearl) is a Sea of Seaweed!‚ ‚ ‚© Rob's Satellite TV 2013

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