General Characteristics
Astra 1M is operated by SES and occupies orbital position 19.0° E - one of the most congested slots on the geostationary arc over Europe. The satellite is built on the Lockheed Martin A2100 platform, which at the time of manufacture was considered the benchmark for reliability among commercial satellite chassis. The signal is stable. The position is proven over years.
The satellite is oriented towards direct-to-home (DTH) and digital television services. Transponders support DVB-S2 with QPSK and 8PSK modulation, allowing both SD and HD content to be transmitted within the same frequency band. Polarisation is linear - horizontal and vertical.
Launch and Technical Data
Astra 1M was launched into orbit in 2002 by a Proton-M launch vehicle from Baikonur. The design life is 15 years. The international NORAD system tracks the satellite under identifier 33436. For precise orbital position determination, this ID is accepted by services such as Heavens-Above, N2YO and most modern antenna controllers with auto-search functionality.
Coverage Zones and Reception in Ukraine
The satellite forms several beams that together cover virtually all of Europe. For Ukrainian viewers, the most relevant beams are Europe BSS and Central Europe.
| Beam | Coverage | Antenna Diameter (Ukraine) |
|---|---|---|
| Europe BSS | All of Europe, including Ukraine | 60-90 cm |
| Central Europe | Central and Eastern Europe | 60 cm (east), 90 cm (west) |
| Northern Europe | Scandinavia, Baltic states | 75-90 cm |
| Southern Europe | Mediterranean, Balkans | 60-75 cm |
In practice, when setting up a 0.60 m dish in Kyiv, the signal level on most Ku-band transponders is quite sufficient for reliable reception even in light cloud conditions. In Lviv and Uzhhorod the situation is different - there position 19.0° E is lower on the horizon, so a 0.90 m antenna provides a noticeable signal margin and protects against rain attenuation. In the eastern and southern parts of the country, a 60-centimetre offset antenna covers most transponders without problems.
Transponders and Frequencies
Astra 1M operates exclusively in the Ku-band. In the sathub database, 1 active transponder and 1 channel are currently registered. Parameters should be verified against the current transponder table on this page - the broadcast composition at position 19.0° E changes regularly according to SES operator commercial decisions.
Content and Free-to-Air Channels
Position 19.0° E traditionally concentrates a wide range of European DTH packages. Astra 1M broadcasts both encrypted packages from various conditional access operators and open FTA channels - news, entertainment, thematic. The current list is available in the transponder table below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What antenna is needed to receive Astra 1M in Kyiv?
An offset antenna of 60 cm with a Ku-band converter (LNB with noise temperature of 0.1 or 0.2 dB). This is quite sufficient for central regions of Ukraine.
Can Astra 1M be combined with other satellites on a multi-feed?
Yes. Position 19.0° E combines well with adjacent positions 13.0° E and 23.5° E on a single antenna with a multi-feed bracket and multiple converters.
What broadcast standard does the satellite use?
DVB-S2 with QPSK and 8PSK modulation. The receiver must support DVB-S2 - older devices with DVB-S support only will not receive part of the transponders.
How do I find the satellite by NORAD ID 33436?
This identifier is entered into services such as Heavens-Above or N2YO to view precise orbital elements. Most modern antenna controllers with auto-search functionality also accept NORAD ID directly.