Intelsat 905 is located at orbital position 137.0° W above the western Atlantic Ocean. Its primary purpose is transatlantic communications, commercial broadcasting and corporate communications between the American continent and Europe. The sathub database records 100 active transponders and 112 channels on this satellite.
For Ukraine, the 137.0° W position is far from ideal. However, reception is technically possible — it requires an antenna of appropriate diameter, a quality low-noise converter and precise alignment to an azimuth of approximately 250° with elevation of 28–32° depending on the region.
History and Launch
The satellite was launched to geostationary orbit in 2002 by the Proton-M launch vehicle from Baikonur. Manufactured by Space Systems/Loral, the LS-702B platform has a design life of 15 years. The LS-702B is distinguished by powerful onboard power systems and a large number of active transponders — this is what made Intelsat 905 one of the operator's key satellites on transatlantic routes in the early 2000s. NORAD ID — 27438; the satellite's position can be tracked through standard orbital object monitoring services.
Coverage Areas and Reception in Ukraine
The satellite serves several regions with separate directional beams: North America, Central and South America, Atlantic Ocean region, Europe and Africa. From Ukraine, the signal is available mainly at the edge of the European beam — and this is noticeable in practice when aligning the antenna.
| Beam | Coverage | Antenna Diameter (Ukraine) |
|---|---|---|
| North America Beam | USA, Canada, Mexico | not accessible from Ukraine |
| Atlantic Ocean Region | Atlantic Ocean waters, vessels | 2.4 m and above |
| Europe Beam (Ku) | Western and Central Europe | 1.2–1.8 m |
| C-band Global | Wide coverage, including Ukraine | 1.8–2.4 m |
| Africa Beam | African continent | not accessible from Ukraine |
The minimum mirror diameter for Ku-band is 1.2 m, for C-band — 1.8 m. In the eastern and southern parts of the country, signal level is noticeably weaker: according to measurements in heavy cloud conditions, it is better to immediately choose an antenna 20–30% larger in diameter. Pointing azimuth — approximately 250°, elevation — 28–32°; exact values are calculated based on the installation location coordinates.
Transponder Capacity and Frequency Bands
Intelsat 905 operates simultaneously in Ku- and C-band. Ku is used primarily for broadcasting and broadband access, C — for fixed satellite communications, corporate networks and backup channels. Modern transponders support DVB-S2 with QPSK and 8PSK modulation, some older capacities still operate in DVB-S. Polarization — linear horizontal and vertical for Ku-band, circular for C-band.
Television Packages and Free-to-Air (FTA) Channels
The satellite hosts international television channels, sports event broadcasts and corporate communication channels. The satellite is actively used for content distribution between North America and Europe — in particular for transmitting signals from news agencies, sports federations and media groups. Some transponders are leased by regional broadcasters and telecommunications operators. The current list of FTA channels and encrypted packages with reception parameters is available in the transponder section on the satellite's sathub page.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What antenna is needed to receive Intelsat 905 in Ukraine?
- For Ku-band — minimum 1.2 m, for C-band — 1.8 m. In eastern and southern Ukraine, it is better to increase the diameter by 20–30%: in practice, when aligning a 0.85 m mirror, the signal in Ku-band simply cannot reach an acceptable level here.
- What azimuth and elevation should the antenna be aligned to?
- Azimuth approximately 250° (west-southwest), elevation 28–32° depending on geographic location. Exact values are calculated based on the installation location coordinates.
- What modulation standards does Intelsat 905 use?
- Modern transponders — DVB-S2 with QPSK and 8PSK. Some capacities operate in DVB-S. Polarization is linear for Ku and circular for C-band.
- Are there free-to-air (FTA) channels on the satellite?
- Yes, some transponders contain unencrypted channels. The current list with reception parameters is regularly updated in the sathub transponder database.