Amos 5 is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Israeli company Spacecom at orbital position 17.0° E. The satellite serves the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and provides television broadcasting, broadband internet access and corporate communications services. The satellite's NORAD ID is 37950.
Position 17.0° E is accessible from most regions of Ukraine without particular difficulty during antenna alignment. The satellite carries 44 active Ku-band transponders with 270 channels from various broadcasters registered in the sathub database.
History and launch
Amos 5 was launched into orbit in 2011 by Proton-M rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome. The satellite was manufactured by American company Space Systems/Loral on the SSL-1300 platform. This is one of the most widely used commercial platforms in the industry with a design life of 15 years. The satellite replaced previous Amos satellites at this position and significantly expanded capacity for African and Middle Eastern markets.
Coverage zones and reception in Ukraine
Amos 5 generates four regional beams: European, African, Middle Eastern and West Asian. For reception in Ukraine, the European Ku-band beam is primarily relevant.
| Beam | Coverage | Antenna diameter |
|---|---|---|
| European Ku | Central and Eastern Europe, Ukraine | 90 - 120 cm |
| Middle Eastern Ku | Israel, Turkey, Middle East | 75 - 90 cm |
| African Ku | Sub-Saharan Africa | 90 - 120 cm |
| West Asian Ku | Iran, Pakistan, Central Asia | 90 - 120 cm |
In practice, when setting up a 0.9 m dish in Kyiv and central regions, the signal is received reliably. In the western part of the country - in Lviv or Uzhhorod - the elevation angle is somewhat more favorable, so sometimes a 75-90 cm dish is sufficient. In eastern and southern Ukraine it is better to install a 1.0-1.2 m dish immediately: according to signal measurements in dense cloud conditions, the signal margin becomes critical in those areas.
Transponder capacity and frequency bands
Amos 5 operates exclusively in the Ku-band. The sathub database registers 44 active transponders. Broadcasting is conducted mainly in DVB-S2 standard with 8PSK and QPSK modulation - this allows efficient use of bandwidth for HD and SD content. Symbol rates vary from 2000 to 30000 Msym/s depending on the channel's purpose. Polarization is horizontal (H) and vertical (V). Reception range: 10.7-12.75 GHz, standard universal Ku LNB with local oscillators 9750/10600 MHz.
Television packages and free-to-air (FTA) channels
Amos 5 hosts packages for European and African markets. A significant portion of transponders is oriented towards Sub-Saharan Africa - here are located packages of local and international broadcasters for audiences in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and neighboring countries. For Middle Eastern audiences, Israeli and Arabic-language channels are available. Among free-to-air (FTA) channels are news, religious and entertainment broadcasters. The satellite is actively used for corporate VSAT networks and broadband internet in regions with underdeveloped terrestrial infrastructure.
Frequently asked questions
What antenna is needed to receive Amos 5 in Ukraine?
For most regions, 90 cm is sufficient. In eastern and southern Ukraine, a 1.0-1.2 m dish is recommended for stable signal in any weather conditions.
What LNB is suitable for Amos 5?
Standard universal Ku-band LNB with local oscillators 9750/10600 MHz. Polarization is linear, so circular LNB will not work here.
Are there Ukrainian channels on Amos 5?
The satellite is primarily oriented towards African and Middle Eastern markets. Ukrainian channels at this position are practically absent. For their reception, it is better to use Astra 4A (4.8° E) or Eutelsat 9B (9.0° E).
How to find Amos 5 using a receiver?
Enter orbital position 17.0° E or use NORAD ID 37950 for precise alignment of a motorized antenna. For initial setup, use any active transponder from the sathub database.