Galaxy 37 is a commercial geostationary communications satellite operated by Intelsat at orbital position 127.0° W. The spacecraft is oriented towards the markets of North America, Central America, the Caribbean Basin and the northern part of South America. For Ukrainian installers and enthusiasts, this is purely a theoretical position: direct residential reception on the territory of Ukraine is excluded due to orbital geometry — the satellite simply does not fall within the viewing angle from our latitudes.
In the sathub database, Galaxy 37 has 3 transponders and 14 channels in the C and Ku bands.
Launch and technical specifications
Galaxy 37 launched on 14 August 2021 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket operated by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The platform is SSL 1300 manufactured by Maxar Technologies, one of the most proven commercial satellite chassis in the industry. Design life is 15 years. The spacecraft strengthened Intelsat's constellation in the western sector of the geostationary orbit, adding capacity for commercial and government clients in the region.
Coverage areas and reception in Ukraine
Galaxy 37 beams cover the following regions:
| Beam | Coverage area | Minimum antenna diameter |
|---|---|---|
| North America Ku | USA, Canada, Mexico | 0.75–1.2 m |
| Central America Ku | Central America | 1.2–1.8 m |
| Caribbean Ku | Caribbean Basin | 1.2–1.8 m |
| C-band Wide | North and Central America, Caribbean Basin, northern South America | 2.4–3.0 m |
| Ukraine (reception) | Outside coverage area | 3.0+ m (specialised stations) |
Position 127° W is far beyond the horizon of visibility for any point in Ukraine. Even with a 3.0 m or larger dish, reception is possible only at specialised telecommunications or monitoring stations with precision tracking. Residential reception is completely impossible.
Transponder capacity and frequency bands
Galaxy 37 carries transponders in two bands. The C-band provides wide regional coverage and is resistant to rain attenuation — an advantage that is well felt when measuring signal levels under dense cloud conditions. The Ku-band provides higher throughput and is suitable for direct broadcasting and broadband access. Standards DVB-S and DVB-S2 are supported with QPSK and 8PSK modulation — this allows flexible selection of parameters for specific client tasks. Currently, 3 transponders are active in the sathub database.
Television packages and free-to-air (FTA) channels
Galaxy 37 is primarily oriented towards corporate and operator clients. Main areas of use:
- Telecommunications services for North American operators
- Regional television broadcasting
- Data transmission and broadband access
- Backup communication channels for broadcasters and operators
The sathub database lists 14 channels. Some of them may be in open FTA format, but most services on this satellite are encrypted or intended for the B2B segment.
Frequently asked questions
Can Galaxy 37 be received in Ukraine with a standard dish?
No. The satellite at 127° W does not fall within the viewing angle from Ukraine — this is a matter of orbital geometry, not signal strength or antenna size.
What bands does Galaxy 37 use?
C and Ku. C-band provides wider coverage and resistance to atmospheric interference, Ku-band provides higher throughput for broadcasting and internet.
What platform is used for Galaxy 37?
SSL 1300 by Maxar Technologies. The platform is noted for high energy efficiency and is designed for 15 years of active operation.
What NORAD ID identifies Galaxy 37?
NORAD ID 57493 — this number is used to track the satellite in international catalogues of space objects.