Amos 2 is a geostationary satellite operated by Israeli company Spacecom at orbital position 4.0° W. The spacecraft serves commercial broadcasting and corporate data transmission across a wide geographic range: from Western Europe to the Middle East and Africa. NORAD ID is 28132, so orbital parameters can be tracked in any open catalogue.
History and launch
The satellite launched on 1 August 1998. The Ariane 4 launch vehicle deployed it from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana. Amos 2 became Spacecom's first spacecraft and effectively established the company's orbital presence at the 4° W position.
The LS-376 platform was developed by American Space Systems/Loral. The chassis is known for its compactness and reliability in the medium geostationary satellite class. The design life is 15 years, although the actual service life is always determined by remaining fuel and the condition of onboard systems.
Coverage zones and reception in Ukraine
Amos 2's Ku-band beams cover several regions. For Ukrainian viewers, the European beam is most relevant.
| Beam | Coverage | Dish diameter (Ukraine) |
|---|---|---|
| Ku - Europe | Central and Eastern Europe, Ukraine | 60-90 cm |
| Ku - Middle East | Israel, Turkey, Arabian Peninsula | 75-120 cm |
| Ku - Africa | North and Central Africa | 90-120 cm |
In practice, when setting up a 0.85 m dish in central Ukraine, the signal level is quite comfortable even during cloudy weather. Azimuth is approximately 260°, elevation angle is approximately 28°. Exact values depend on the specific location. In western regions of the country, reception conditions are noticeably better; in the east and south, it is advisable to use a dish closer to 90 cm to have a safety margin for signal level during rainy weather.
Transponders and frequency plan
Amos 2 carries 9 active Ku-band transponders with linear horizontal and vertical polarization. DVB-S and DVB-S2 standards are supported - the specific modulation scheme depends on the transponder and service operator. The frequency plan fits within the standard Ku-band 10.7-12.75 GHz range, so any standard Universal LNB is suitable without any reservations.
The sathub database records 20 channels. An up-to-date transponder table with frequencies, symbol rates and FEC is available in the corresponding section of this page.
Television packages and free-to-air channels
The primary audience for Amos 2 is Israel and the Jewish diaspora in Europe. Some channels are broadcast in free-to-air (FTA) mode, meaning without access cards or subscription. The rest are protected by conditional access systems of commercial operators. The satellite is also actively used for corporate communication channels and data transmission in the coverage area.
Frequently asked questions
What dish do I need to receive Amos 2 in Ukraine?
In most regions, a 60-90 cm dish is sufficient. In the east and south, it is better to install a 90 cm dish immediately - this provides the necessary signal level margin during adverse weather conditions.
What azimuth should I set the dish to?
Approximately 260° (west-southwest), elevation angle approximately 28°. Exact values for a specific city can be conveniently calculated using an online azimuth calculator.
Are there free-to-air channels on Amos 2?
Yes. Part of the broadcasting is available in FTA mode without any cards. The complete list is in the transponder table on this page.
What LNB is suitable for Amos 2?
A standard Universal LNB with local oscillators at 9750/10600 MHz. There are no specific requirements for the LNB - the satellite operates in the standard Ku-band.