Astra 2E is located at orbital position 28.0° E and is operated by SES. The launch took place on 31 August 2013 - the satellite replaced the ageing Astra 2D and significantly expanded the transponder capacity at this position. According to the sathub database, 20 active transponders and 176 channels are registered. The SSL 1300 platform from Orbital ATK provides a design life of 15 years.
Position 28.0° E is technically accessible from Ukraine, but most content here is encrypted and targeted exclusively at the British and Irish markets.
Launch and technical specifications
The Ariane 5 launch vehicle deployed Astra 2E into orbit from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana. The satellite manufacturer is Orbital ATK (SSL), platform SSL 1300. This is one of the most proven commercial platforms for geostationary satellites: reliable, well-studied and widely represented in orbit. The satellite is equipped with Ku- and Ka-band transponders, allowing it to combine traditional broadcasting with broadband internet access.
Coverage zones and reception in Ukraine
Astra 2E generates several spot beams with different coverage areas. The key one is the narrow UK and Ireland beam - focused on the British Isles and practically unsuitable for reception outside this zone. The wide Europe BSS beam covers all of Europe, but signal levels in the eastern part of the continent are noticeably weaker.
| Beam | Primary coverage | Antenna diameter for Ukraine |
|---|---|---|
| UK and Ireland | United Kingdom, Ireland | 150-180 cm and larger |
| Europe BSS | All of Europe | 90-120 cm (west), 120-150 cm (east) |
| Central Europe | Central Europe | 90-120 cm |
| Southern Europe | Mediterranean | 120-150 cm |
| Ka-band | Selective European zones | 75-100 cm |
In practice, when setting up an antenna in Kyiv to receive the Europe BSS beam, a minimum acceptable result is achieved with a 90-100 cm dish. In western Ukraine - in Lviv or Uzhhorod - 60-90 cm is sufficient. For Kharkiv, Dnipro and southern regions, 120 cm or more is required, and signal measurements under dense cloud conditions show that antenna diameter margin is particularly important here. The UK and Ireland beam is inaccessible from Kyiv even with a 180 cm antenna - the signal level simply does not reach the demodulation threshold.
Transponders and frequency bands
The Ku-band is used for traditional DVB-S2 broadcasting with QPSK and 8PSK modulation. Symbol rates for most transponders are in the range of 27500-30000 Msps, with vertical and horizontal polarisation. The Ka-band is aimed at broadband internet access and corporate communication channels - it is not used for regular television viewing.
Television packages and FTA channels
The primary operator at position 28.0° E is Sky UK. This is the largest British pay-TV operator, with packages covering hundreds of HD and SD channels. All content is encrypted with the Videoguard conditional access system tied to British postcodes. Sky Ireland broadcasts Irish content at the same position under a similar scheme.
There are few open FTA channels at 28.0° E - mainly regional broadcasters and test signals. These are of practical interest to Ukrainian viewers as they have no geographical restrictions. The current list is available in the sathub database for this position.
Frequently asked questions
What antenna is needed to receive Astra 2E in Kyiv?
To receive the Europe BSS beam in the Ku-band - from 90-100 cm. The UK and Ireland beam cannot be received from Kyiv even with a 180 cm antenna.
Can I watch Sky UK in Ukraine via Astra 2E?
No. The signal in the Ukraine zone is extremely weak, and all Sky content is encrypted with Videoguard tied to British postcodes. Legal viewing in Ukraine is not possible.
What FTA channels are available at 28.0° E?
A small number of open regional and test channels. The current list is available in the sathub database for position 28.0° E.
In which direction should I point the antenna at Astra 2E from Ukraine?
From Kyiv, the azimuth is approximately 220-225 degrees (southwest), elevation angle 22-25 degrees. Exact values are calculated based on the coordinates of a specific city.