Astra 1N - made it to geostationary orbit, now the fun starts

[solly]

four beam have astra 1n ?

 

[M60]

Surely though, with 1N currently at 1.8E rather than it's final orbital position the spotbeam and pan European beams may be skewed somewhat so these tests not a true realistic idea of the final footprint when she's at 28.2E?

 

[strs65]

That's true...

 

[dvdfilm]

True. Although these early tests in my opinion make it likely that there will be some kind of overspill compared to the official map.

 

[Huevos]

those three 2.6m dishes are clear, one is RX, one is for the spot beam and one is for the two pan-European beams (different illumination patterns I guess).

The steerable is a bit mysterous. Actually it is too small for a Ku Band Spotbeam, you dont get the gain. So my first guess was it is for Ka Band which isnt mentioned at all in officiall documents.

I think the description is incomplete. The Ku spot beam aerial must be steerable too. Anything else wouldn't make any sense. It would be like fitting a spotlight to a fire truck and needing to orientate the whole vehicle to get the light pointing where you need it. In the case of a satellite spot beams, aerials that move independently of the satellite body are essential if the craft is going to be diverse enough to cover multiple or evolving missions over a 15 year period.

 

[solly]

if it final of spot beam need very large dish get mideast

 

[Lazarus]

I think you are right.

There are going to be a whole new set of challenges to redefine the Fringes and cope with them.

 

[dvdfilm]

if it final of spot beam need very large dish get mideast

are you getting any signal from 2D now in tel aviv?

 

[Pietclock]

Yes I think the big parabols can be moved too, maybe not as far as the small steerable at the bottom of the satellite.
One can speculate, that SES plan to offer a spot beam at 19 East too, the final position of the satellite. It appears somewhat unlikely, that SES ordered spot beam capability just for 1 year or so at 28 East. I think, we will see a spot beam at 19 east too, maybe for Germany or Spain. There have been copyright conflicts between German and Spanish TV stations.
To move the spot around, the parabols only need to move very little at the satellite... in fact, it could also be done by changing the illumination pattern of the feed. It would be very interesting, if the satellite is already using complicated antenna arays which can be fed with diffrent phases, which make a very exact illumination possible.

 

[Pietclock]

For comparison:

Astra 1N Test:
View attachment 43539

28 East with same set up:

View attachment 43540
and a closer look at the "roundling":
View attachment 43541

 

[solly]

dvbfilm
astra 2d too weak to get in tel aviv
need minium 5.5m go pick siganl not full transponder

 

[dvdfilm]

dvbfilm
astra 2d too weak to get in tel aviv
need minium 5.5m go pick siganl not full transponder

Thanks solly.I guess Astra 1N UK beam tests are about the same strength as 2D in your area?

 

[solly]

astra1n spot beam receiver 3.8m
the mean better the old astra 2b
unknow yet when astra will be become to 28.2e
we receiver it

 

[Lazarus]

Sock it to 'em, solly

 

[Analoguesat]

I think you are right.

There are going to be a whole new set of challenges to redefine the Fringes and cope with them.

Aye, and we will just get 1N sorted out and 2E F & G will be upon us! Fringe reception is going to be interesting for the next 2 or 3 years.

 

[Pietclock]

yes I think, while 1N might still be "mercyful" on us fringers, this most probably will change after that...

 

[park_gate]

yes I think, while 1N might still be "mercyful" on us fringers, this most probably will change after that...

Yes but 2E, 2F and 2G are a similar design to 1N hence all the interest in 1N as it gives a taste of things to come.

I believe one of the differences is 2E, 2F and 2G will have a steerable dish for internet data for either Africa or the middle east. I don't believe 1N has this.

What's the reception of 1N like in Spain, how does it compare with 2D?

Terry

 

[M60]

Yes but 2E, 2F and 2G are a similar design to 1N hence all the interest in 1N as it gives a taste of things to come.

I believe one of the differences is 2E, 2F and 2G will have a steerable dish for internet data for either Africa or the middle east. I don't believe 1N has this.

What's the reception of 1N like in Spain, how does it compare with 2D?

Terry

Do you reckon 2E, F and G will have an even tighter beam than that of 1N, particularly more suited towards the outline of the British Isles from 28.2E? Certainly from the 1N spotbeam footprint it looks similar, if not a bit tighter, than 2D's but the real test is reception reports from various places.

Has there been much testing again today? How many transponders are currently active being tested??

 

[Analoguesat]

Are you the M60 from DS forum?

If you look at the first 1N footprint that was accidentally released the 1N beam is likely to be wider than officially published as there seems to be a western bulge.

This will certainly be eliminated for the new series 2's

 

[Llew]

How many transponders are currently active being tested??

Presently, the TP's shown here -