Astra 2F is located at orbital position 28.0° E and is operated by SES. Launched in 2012 as a functional replacement for Astra 2D, it became a key element of direct satellite broadcasting infrastructure for the United Kingdom, Ireland and much of Europe. On board are 20 active transponders in Ku and Ka bands, providing transmission of 362 channels.
For satellite dish owners in Ukraine, position 28.0° E is technically accessible, but the main beams are oriented towards the British Isles and Central Europe. Reception is possible provided the correct dish diameter is selected and the antenna is precisely aligned in the south-westerly direction.
History and Launch
Astra 2F was launched into orbit on 28 September 2012 by Proton-M rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome. The satellite was manufactured by Orbital ATK (now Northrop Grumman) on the SSL-1300 platform. The design lifetime is 15 years. The satellite replaced the ageing Astra 2D and significantly expanded the transponder capacity of SES's orbital slot at 28.0° E, strengthening the company's position as a leading provider of broadcasting services to the British market.
Coverage Areas and Reception in Ukraine
Astra 2F forms several focused beams with different service areas. The UK and Ireland beam provides maximum EIRP over the British Isles - the Sky package is optimised for this beam. The Europe BSS beam covers most of continental Europe, including Ukraine, but with noticeably lower signal levels. In practice, when setting up a 0.90 m dish in Kyiv, the open Europe BSS transponders are received reliably, whereas the UK and Ireland beam on such an antenna gives unstable results even in clear weather.
| Beam | Primary Coverage | Antenna Diameter for Ukraine |
|---|---|---|
| UK and Ireland | United Kingdom, Ireland | 150-180 cm (west), 180+ cm (east) |
| Europe BSS | Continental Europe | 60-90 cm (west), 90-120 cm (east) |
| Central Europe | Central Europe | 75-90 cm (western Ukraine) |
| Southern Europe | Mediterranean | 90-120 cm (southern Ukraine) |
| Middle East (Ka) | Middle East | 90-120 cm (Ka converter) |
For Kyiv and central regions, the optimal dish diameter is 90 cm for open Europe BSS transponders. In western Ukraine (Lviv, Uzhhorod) 75-90 cm is sufficient. In eastern and southern regions, 90-120 cm is recommended. Azimuth alignment is south-westerly, elevation angle approximately 25-30 degrees depending on region. Based on signal measurements in dense cloud conditions, the signal margin on a 90-centimetre dish is minimal, so for permanent reception it is better not to economise on diameter.
Transponder Capacity and Frequency Bands
Astra 2F carries 20 active transponders in two bands. The Ku band is used for main television broadcasting, the Ka band for broadband services and regional transmissions. Most transponders operate in DVB-S2 standard with 8PSK or QPSK modulation. The symbol rate of Sky UK transponders is predominantly 27500 Msym/s with FEC 2/3.
Ku transponders cover the 10.7-12.75 GHz band with vertical and horizontal polarisation. The Ka segment operates in the 17.3-20.2 GHz band and requires a specialised converter. For Ku signal reception, a standard universal LNB with local oscillator frequency 9750/10600 MHz is suitable.
Television Packages and Free-to-Air Channels
The main broadcaster on Astra 2F is Sky UK, the largest British pay satellite television operator. The package includes hundreds of channels in SD and HD formats, encrypted in the VideoGuard system. Sky Ireland broadcasts a separate regional package with Irish and British channels.
Among free-to-air channels at position 28.0° E are pan-European broadcasters and regional transmissions. Part of the Europe BSS transponders contain unencrypted channels available for reception in Ukraine with a standard DVB-S2 receiver. The total number of channels in the sathub database for this satellite is 362.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What antenna do I need to receive Astra 2F in Kyiv?
- For open Europe BSS channels, 90 cm is sufficient. To receive the Sky UK package (UK and Ireland beam) from Kyiv, you need a dish from 150 cm - the signal in this beam over Ukrainian territory is very weak and unstable.
- Can I receive Sky UK in Ukraine?
- Reception is technically possible on a 150-180 cm antenna or larger in western Ukraine, but signal levels are unstable. Additionally, Sky channels are encrypted in the VideoGuard system and require an official subscription and smart card.
- What converter is needed for Astra 2F?
- For Ku band - standard universal LNB (9750/10600 MHz). For Ka band, a specialised Ka-LNB compatible with 17.3-20.2 GHz frequencies is required.
- How many transponders and channels are on Astra 2F?
- In the sathub database, 20 transponders and 362 channels are recorded in Ku and Ka bands.