Astra Satellite Group

Most of the programmes that UK viewers want are transmitted from Astra 2 at 28.2°E. This is actually a group of four satellites (Astra 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D) positioned close together, so that one dish can receive all of the signals. The Eurobird-1 satellite is located at 28.5°E and it has 3 beams, 1 fixed and 2 steerable, so its signals can also be received with the same satellite dish pointing at the Astra 2 satellites.

All these satellites are in geostationary orbit in Clarkes Belt at a height in space of 35,786m and match the Earth’s rotation by travelling at a speed of 6877mph. Although each satellite is directly above the Equator, dish antennas on the satellites enable their transmissions to be directed at specific geographic regions. Ground controllers fire on-board jet thrusters occasionally to keep the satellites in their specified position in space and this is the major factor in determining the 'life' of a satellite.

Each satellite has a massive array of solar powered cells. Astra 2A, 2B, 2C and Eurobird 1 are cube-shaped and have huge wing-like solar cell arrays extending from their main bodies, while Astra 2D is cylindrical and has its entire surface coated with solar cells. The cells convert sunlight into electricity to operate the satellite, providing power for the transponders and to maintain the charge on the standby batteries for the times when the satellite is in the shadow of the Earth (Night Dimming).

The television and radio program signals are sent from Earth from an ‘up-link’ station. From there the gathered 'bouquet' of programmes is transmitted into space using a dish aimed at the orbiting spacecraft. The satellite receives these signals, amplifies them and transmits them back towards earth on a different frequency. This work is done by a transponder and this return signal is known as the 'down-link'.

A group of satellites in the same orbital position may have a combined total of more than 70 transponders, with each transponder rebroadcasting 1 analogue TV channel or as many as 14 digital TV channels. The transponders on the satellite are like bulbs in a football stadium floodlight, some bulbs are stronger than others which is why some channels transmitted from the same satellite can be weaker and therefore harder to receive than others.

Astra 2A and 2B Footprint - North Beam


Channels include:
Channel 4 London + Ireland
More 4, E4 London + Ireland
Sky 2 and Sky 3
Sky Sports News + Sky Sports Extra
British Eurosport 2 + Hallmark
Sky Movies (Comedy, Sci-Fi, Horror, Action)

Astra 2A and 2B Footprint - South Beam


Channels include:
BBC News
BBC Radio 1-4
BBC Interactive
Sky News + CNN
Sky Sports 1-3
Sky Sports 1-3 HD

Astra 2D Footprint


Channels include:
Channel 5 (Free To View)
National Geographic
Discovery Channels
Sky One + Boomerang
British Eurosport
UK Gold + Dave + C4 HD

ITV1, 2, 3 + 4
Channel 4 + Film 4
More 4 + E4
At The Races
Sky Box Office
Channel 5 (Freesat)

BBC 1, 2, 3 + 4
BBC HD
CBBC + CITV
Men and Motors
Disney Channels
Talk Sport Radio

Eurobird 1 Fixed Beam


Channels include:
Celtic TV
Rangers TV
Liverpool TV
Arsenal TV
Racing UK
Racing World
True Movies 1 + 2
Movies 4 Men 1 + 2
Discovery Channels
History Channel
Biography Channel

Please note that some channels in the Astra 2 group have been moved from their original transponders and may now be more difficult to receive if you are using a satellite dish smaller than 1.8M

Maps courtesy of www.lyngsat.com