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

[satelliteman]

Yes, design life span detailed here _http://www.ses-astra.com/business/en/news-events/press-archive/1999/26-07-99/

 

[dvdfilm]

The most logical option is 1N will take some tps from all the other 3 Astra sats currently at 28.2E

 

[M60]

It was exactly four weeks ago this evening that she lifted off from Kourou, fortunate we didn't have another valve incident on the Ariane otherwise we might have had another delay, would have thrown VA204 in to delay too.

 

[dvdfilm]

Analoguesat could you ask Mr. Christopher on the SES facebook page how long testing will be for approximately?

 

[Analoguesat]

They wont give out that info - testing will take as long as it takes. Thats why its called testing and they use an obscure orbital slot so as not to get folks expectations of an early entry into service..

The testing guys will not release 1N for service until they are certain shes fit and ready to go in 100% health.

Remember Eutelsat Ka-Sat took 6 months to shake down

ISTR mid September was the expected in service date, but the launch was delayed a month. Therefore we can reasonably assume mid - late October before 1N is at 28E and ready to go.

 

[M60]

Analoguesat could you ask Mr. Christopher on the SES facebook page how long testing will be for approximately?

I'm going to catch up with SES next week at IBC in Amsterdam so if Christopher is there I'll ask the question but doubt like AnalogueSat says they'll furnish me with any info. Is there any signs of activity today at all, appreciating it's a Sunday!

 

[solly]

any tested caries today ?>
bty why i see 6,0 morning 11720h storng signal 13db 29500 fec 4/5
after noon no signal on 2a astra ?

 

[Analoguesat]

2A and 2B have 15 year life cycles; 2D has only 12.

These old birds are bomb proof. A Boeing spinner craft was retired last year after over 20 years use. OK she was horribly inclined but was still in daily use for military comms.

Short of imapct from external debris the spinners will go on working for years past their design lives. Look at Marco Polo 1 & 2 - well over their design lives when they were taken out of service.

 

[dvdfilm]

I'm going to catch up with SES next week at IBC in Amsterdam so if Christopher is there I'll ask the question but doubt like AnalogueSat says they'll furnish me with any info. Is there any signs of activity today at all, appreciating it's a Sunday!

If Astra 1N is still testing when you go to IBC then we can definitely rule out a service start at 28.2E this month

 

[Llew]

No observable action today - day of rest, as with last Sunday.

 

[M60]

If Astra 1N is still testing when you go to IBC then we can definitely rule out a service start at 28.2E this month

Yep, I think by Thursday we'll know if she's made any move from 1.8E around the arc. If she's still being tested then I guess we're looking at October by then.

 

[solly]

why bskyb not use extra power like tdf on 19w

 

[Lazarus]

It's SES-Astra who own and operate the Satellite, not BSkyB.

 

[Analoguesat]

why bskyb not use extra power like tdf on 19w

No need with the new birds - they cover the intended coverage area quite nicely.

What you actually mean is "why dont they use extra power so its easier to get in your area" isnt it

 

[solly]

need 65 eirp
not 54

 

[park_gate]

Naples is a cold spot for Astra 2D so there is a good possibility 1N spot will be easier than 2D reception. Naples is only 1.5º from the beam centre and there are people much further away that receive it ok, for example Cyprus (3.9º off centre) and Tenerife (4.3º off centre), so not receiving there is just an anomaly.

I theory yes, but what about practice?

Have you managed to pick up any of the spot beam at your location?

I guess the reports of weak signals in Germany could be used as an indication of a spot beam transmission.

Terry

 

[Vipersan]

1N still in test mode this morning ..
A huge spike and carrier Halo right down the bottom end of the spectrum
10730V

rgds
VS

 

[M60]

What's the level of this in dBm? I suspect this must be on the UK spot they are testing if your getting it at such a high field strength?

 

[solly]

it tp42 spot beam

 

[dvdfilm]

it tp42 spot beam

are you receiving it solly?