BADR 8 is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Arabsat at orbital position 26.0° E. The spacecraft covers three continents and serves as a central hub for Arab satellite broadcasting. On board, 42 active transponders operate in the C and Ku bands, providing transmission of 484 channels.
For antenna owners in Ukraine, position 26° E is located between the popular Astra 28.2° E and Arabsat 26° E. If your antenna is already oriented to neighbouring positions, reception is possible without re-tuning your equipment.
Satellite history and launch
The satellite was launched into orbit in 2018 under the original name Arabsat 7B, and was renamed BADR 8 after being put into service. The launch took place from the Baikonur cosmodrome using the Proton-M launch vehicle. The spacecraft was built on the SSL 1300 platform by SSL (now Maxar Technologies). The design service life is 15 years.
The SSL 1300 platform is widely used in the commercial sector. It provides high power of the on-board transponder and signal stability throughout the operational life.
Coverage areas and reception features in Ukraine
BADR 8 forms several spatial beams covering the Middle East, North and West Africa, Europe and Central Asia. For subscribers in Ukraine, the European Ku-band beam is most relevant.
| Beam | Coverage | Antenna diameter (Ukraine) |
|---|---|---|
| Ku - Middle East | Arabian Peninsula, Levant, Iraq | not applicable |
| Ku - Europe | Southern and Central Europe, part of Ukraine | 90-120 cm |
| C - wide | Africa, Middle East, Central Asia | 120-150 cm (eastern Ukraine) |
| Ku - Africa | North and West Africa | not applicable |
In practice, when setting up a 0.9 m antenna in Kyiv and central regions, Ku-signal is received reliably. In western Ukraine - in Lviv or Uzhhorod - the elevation angle is better, so 90 cm is quite sufficient. In the east and south, particularly in Kharkiv and Odesa, it is advisable to use a dish of 100-120 cm. According to signal measurements in dense cloud conditions, the signal margin on a 90-centimetre antenna in eastern regions may prove insufficient - it is better to take 110-120 cm straight away. For C-band, the minimum recommended diameter in eastern regions is 120 cm.
Transponder capacity and frequency bands
BADR 8 carries 42 active transponders in two frequency bands. Ku-transponders operate in the 10.7-12.75 GHz band, C-transponders operate in the 3.4-4.2 GHz band for reception and 5.85-6.425 GHz for transmission.
Most transmissions use the DVB-S2 standard with 8PSK and QPSK modulation. This allows channels to be transmitted in HD and SD formats with efficient MPEG-4 compression. The symbol rate of transponders varies from 27 to 45 Msym/s depending on the broadcaster's package.
Television packages and open channels (FTA)
BADR 8 is a platform for a wide range of Arabic-language and regional broadcasting. Among the main packages and open transmissions:
- Arabsat HD packages - flagship operator packages with news, sports and entertainment channels in HD format.
- Regional Middle East television channels - news, religious, sports and entertainment channels from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Lebanon.
- African television channels - broadcasters from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, as well as Sub-Saharan Africa channels.
- European transmissions - individual FTA channels and packages for the Arab diaspora in Europe.
Some transponders are open (FTA) and available without a card on any DVB-S2 compatible receiver.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What antenna is needed to receive BADR 8 in Kyiv?
- For Ku-band, an antenna with a diameter of 90 cm is sufficient. For C-band, 120 cm or more is recommended.
- Are there open (FTA) channels on BADR 8?
- Yes, some transponders transmit channels in open FTA mode without conditional access. They can be viewed on any DVB-S2 receiver.
- How to distinguish BADR 8 from other Arabsat satellites at 26° E?
- At position 26° E there are several Arabsat spacecraft - BADR 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. BADR 8 is identified by NORAD ID 56757. In receiver settings, they are usually combined under a single 26° E position.
- What broadcasting standard does BADR 8 use?
- The vast majority of transponders operate in the DVB-S2 standard with QPSK or 8PSK modulation and MPEG-4/H.264 codec for HD channels.