Astra 3B is positioned at geostationary orbit at 23.0° E and is operated by SES. The satellite is built on the Lockheed Martin A2100 platform and carries 33 active transponders in the Ku and Ka bands. Over 644 channels are transmitted through these transponders - from news and entertainment to corporate data streams. The satellite's NORAD ID is 36581.
For Ukrainian installers, the 23.0° E position is convenient from a practical standpoint. It lies between the well-known Astra 1 (19.2° E) and Eutelsat (21.6° E), so reorienting the antenna from neighbouring positions takes minimal time and requires no remounting of the bracket.
Launch and technical base
The satellite was launched into orbit in 2002 by a Proton-M launch vehicle from Baikonur. The Lockheed Martin A2100 platform was considered one of the most reliable commercial solutions at the time - and practice has confirmed this. The design life of active service is 15 years. Astra 3B replaced previous satellites in the series at this position and significantly increased transponder capacity for the needs of the European broadcasting and data transmission market.
Coverage zones and antenna selection for Ukraine
The satellite forms several spatial beams. The Ku band covers all continental Europe including Ukraine, the Ka band is oriented towards broadband access. In practice, when setting up in different regions, the picture is as follows:
| Beam / Region | Coverage | Antenna diameter |
|---|---|---|
| Ku - Central and Western Ukraine | Kyiv, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Poltava | 60-75 cm |
| Ku - Eastern Ukraine | Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia | 75-90 cm |
| Ku - Southern Ukraine | Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kherson | 75-90 cm |
| Ka - all of Ukraine | Broadband access | 90-120 cm |
| Europe Beam | All continental Europe | 60-90 cm |
| Middle East / Africa | Middle East, North Africa | 90-120 cm |
The antenna is oriented to azimuth 23.0° E from the southern direction. Based on signal measurements in conditions of dense cloud cover in Kharkiv and Dnipro, a 75 cm dish provides an acceptable signal margin - but 90 cm noticeably stabilises the picture during rainfall. For precise pointing, it is convenient to use a satellite finder or mobile application taking into account the coordinates of the reception point.
Transponders and frequency bands
The Ku band on Astra 3B is used mainly for television broadcasting and VSAT services. The Ka band serves broadband internet access and corporate networks. A total of 33 active transponders are recorded with support for DVB-S2 and QPSK and 8PSK modulations. Symbol rate varies depending on the broadcaster and type of service. A complete frequency table is available in the transponders section of this page.
Television packages and FTA channels
644 channels is a mix of encrypted subscription packages and open FTA streams. The content includes news, entertainment, sports and thematic broadcasters from various countries in Europe and the Middle East. Some transponders carry corporate IP traffic and broadband access services via the Ka band. The current list of FTA channels is in the channels table below.
Frequently asked questions
What antenna is needed to receive Astra 3B in Kyiv?
For the Ku band in Kyiv, 60-75 cm is sufficient. The Ka band requires a dish of 90-120 cm.
Are there free FTA channels on Astra 3B?
Yes. Some transponders broadcast open channels without encryption. The current list is in the channels table on this page.
How to distinguish Astra 3B from other Astra satellites?
Astra 3B is at 23.0° E, the main Astra group is at 19.2° E. Use the orbital position as a reference when entering parameters into your receiver.
Does Astra 3B support the DVB-S2 standard?
Yes, transponders operate in DVB-S2 with QPSK and 8PSK modulations. This ensures efficient bandwidth utilisation and HD content reception even on medium-diameter antennas.