ABS-3A is operated by Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) and positioned at geostationary orbit at 3.0° W (NORAD ID 40424). Primary markets are South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. However, the European Ku-band beam enables stable signal reception across Ukraine. The sathub database records 15 active transponders and 82 television channels.
History and Launch
ABS-3A launched on 14 June 2015 from Cape Canaveral aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 — one of the first commercial geostationary launches of this rocket. Built on the SSL 1300 platform by Space Systems Loral. Designed lifespan is 15 years, with active service expected to continue until approximately 2030.
Coverage Areas and Reception in Ukraine
The satellite forms several regional beams: South Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa and Europe. For Ukrainian viewers, the European Ku-band beam is operational — at latitudes 48–52° N the signal level is sufficient for stable reception.
| Beam | Coverage | Ku Antenna | C Antenna |
|---|---|---|---|
| European | Central and Eastern Europe, Ukraine | 1.2 m | 1.8 m |
| Middle Eastern | Middle East, North Africa | 0.9 m | 1.5 m |
| South Asian | India, Pakistan, Bangladesh | 0.75 m | 1.2 m |
| African | Sub-Saharan Africa | 1.2 m | 1.8 m |
In practice, when aligning a 1.2 m dish in Kyiv, the azimuth to position 3.0° W falls within 208–212° (southwest), with elevation angle approximately 26–28°. In the C-band, the minimum antenna size increases to 1.8 m. Reception conditions in western Ukraine are somewhat better than in the east, corresponding to the beam geometry.
Transponder Capacity and Frequency Bands
ABS-3A operates in C and Ku bands. 15 active transponders are recorded. Modulation is DVB-S2 with QPSK and 8PSK encoding, allowing flexible bandwidth management depending on signal propagation conditions. The Ku-band is oriented towards television broadcasting and VSAT services in Europe and the Middle East. The C-band provides wide-area coverage of Asia and Africa — and importantly, is far less affected by rain attenuation. According to signal measurements in dense cloud conditions, the C-band maintains stable levels where Ku-band already degrades.
Television Packages and Free-to-Air (FTA) Channels
Content on ABS-3A is primarily aimed at diaspora audiences and regional broadcasters. Key directions: Indian channels for South Asia in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu; sports broadcasts for the Asian market; regional services for the Middle East and Africa. Some transponders carry open-access channels (FTA). Package composition changes regularly — see the transponder table on this page for the current list.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What antenna is needed to receive ABS-3A in Ukraine?
- In the Ku-band, a 1.2 m dish is sufficient. In the C-band — from 1.8 m. In western Ukraine the size may be slightly smaller, in the east and south — similar or slightly larger depending on the specific transponder.
- Are there free-to-air (FTA) channels on ABS-3A?
- Yes. Part of the 82 recorded channels are broadcast in open FTA mode. The current list is in the transponder table on this page.
- What rocket was used to launch ABS-3A and when?
- 14 June 2015, by Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, USA.
- What is the satellite's service life?
- Designed lifespan is 15 years from launch date, expected to continue until approximately 2030. The SSL 1300 platform provides the necessary fuel reserves and reliability of onboard systems.