Astra 1N is a geostationary satellite operated by SES at position 19.0° E. This orbital slot has long been a cornerstone for European DTH broadcasting, hosting the main packages for Central and Western Europe. The satellite operates exclusively in the Ku-band and serves both television broadcasting and corporate VSAT networks.
From most regions of Ukraine, position 19.0° E is received on a dish ranging from 60 to 90 cm. The pointing azimuth is approximately 200-210° depending on the reception site geography.
History and launch
Astra 1N reached orbit in 2011 aboard an Ariane 5 rocket from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana. The platform is Eurostar 3000, manufactured by EADS Astrium (now Airbus Defence and Space). The design life is 15 years. The satellite complemented the SES constellation at position 19.2° E, expanding capacity to meet growing demand for HD and UHD broadcasting.
Coverage zones and reception in Ukraine
The satellite forms several spot beams covering most of Europe and part of the Middle East. For Ukraine, the Central Europe BSS beam is relevant - it provides satisfactory signal levels across most of the country.
| Beam | Coverage | Antenna diameter (Ukraine) |
|---|---|---|
| Europe BSS | All Europe | 75-90 cm |
| Central Europe | Central Europe, western Ukraine | 60-75 cm |
| Northern Europe | Scandinavia, Baltic states | 60-75 cm |
| Southern Europe | Mediterranean, southern Ukraine | 75-90 cm |
| Middle East | Middle East | 90-120 cm |
In practice, when setting up in Lviv or Uzhhorod, a 60-75 cm offset dish is sufficient. In Kyiv and Kharkiv, a 75-80 cm dish is preferable - the signal level margin is noticeable, especially when measuring under heavy cloud conditions. In the south and east of the country, an 85-90 cm dish is optimal: it provides stable reception even during heavy rain.
Transponder capacity and frequency plan
Astra 1N carries 28 active Ku-band transponders. The frequency plan covers the 10.7-12.75 GHz band with support for horizontal and vertical linear polarisation. Most transponders operate in DVB-S2 standard with QPSK and 8PSK modulation - this ensures efficient bandwidth utilisation for HD content. Symbol rate ranges from 22 to 30 Msymbols/s depending on configuration.
Television packages and free-to-air channels
Position 19.0° E is part of the large SES Astra constellation, which reaches millions of viewers across Europe. Astra 1N transponders host channels and packages from leading European broadcasters - pan-European news, entertainment and sports. Some channels are available in free-to-air (FTA) format, while others are encrypted using conditional access systems such as Nagravision, Irdeto and Conax.
For Ukrainian viewers, the position is of interest primarily for FTA channels and international versions of major European broadcasters. Corporate clients use the satellite's capacity for VSAT networks and corporate telecommunications.
Frequently asked questions
What antenna is needed to receive Astra 1N in Kyiv?
For stable reception, a 75-80 cm offset antenna with a Ku-band converter (LNB 0.1-0.2 dB) is recommended. Pointing azimuth is approximately 205°, elevation angle is approximately 26-28°.
Can Astra 1N reception be combined with other satellites on one antenna?
Yes. Position 19.0° E is located near 13.0° E (Hotbird) and 23.5° E. A multi-feed system or motorised mount allows reception of multiple positions on one dish.
How many channels are available on Astra 1N?
The database lists 281 channels on 28 transponders. The number of FTA channels varies depending on the current broadcaster configuration.
What broadcasting standard does Astra 1N use?
The vast majority of transponders operate in DVB-S2. Reception requires a receiver with DVB-S2 support and MPEG-4/H.264 decoding for HD channels.