| General information | |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | September 14, 2000 |
| Launch Mass | 3,315 kg |
| Manufacturer | Astrium |
| Model | Eurostar 2000+ |
| Launcher / Flight Number |
Ariane 5 / V130 |
| Lifetime | 15 years |
| Transponder Information | |
| Transponder Capacity | 30 Ku band (to be reduced to 28 by end of life) |
| Bandwidth | 33 MHz |
| EIRP | 51 dBW |
| Sundries | |
| Expendable Energy | 7800 W |
| Location | |
| Former location | (testing) 27° E |
| Current location | 28.2° E 0°00′N 28°12′E / 0°N 28.2°ECoordinates: 0°00′N 28°12′E / 0°N 28.2°E |
| List of broadcast satellites | |
Astra 2B is a communications satellite owned and operated by SES Astra, launched in 2000 to join Astra 2A at the Astra 28.2°E orbital slot providing digital television and radio broadcast services to the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The satellite provides two broadcast beams, each with horizontal and vertical polarisation, across two footprints - 2B North (covering central Europe and Scandinavia) and 2B South (covering Central Europe and the Iberian peninsula and Canary Islands) [1].
TV signals can be received with a 50cm dish across the majority of the British Isles with a 60cm dish required in the extreme north and west. 17 transponders on Astra 2B are used by BSkyB to provide the Sky Digital TV services of standard and high definition TV and digital radio[2].
Astra 2B can also provide backup capacity, substituting for one or more transponders across the whole 10.70-12.75GHz range used by Astra satellites in the Astra 19.2°E and Astra 28.2°E orbital positions.
A third, steerable beam provides 8 transponders in the 12.50-12.75GHz range for Internet and telecommunications services in West Africa. This aspect of the satellite is the commercial responsibility of SES New Skies.
References
- ^ "Astra 2B Factsheet". SES ASTRA. http://www.ses-astra.com/resources/pdf/en-shared/satellite_factsheets/0_2B_Footprint_FactSheet.pdf. Retrieved August 12 2008.
- ^ "Astra 2B at 28.2°E". LyngSat. http://www.lyngsat.com/astra2b.html. Retrieved August 12 2008.
See also
- Astra 2A co-located satellite
- Astra 2C co-located satellite
- Astra 2D co-located satellite
- Astra 28.2°E orbital position
- SES Astra satellite owner
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
