Dror 1 is a geostationary satellite operated by Israeli company Spacecom, positioned at 4.0° W. The satellite is aimed at markets in the Middle East, Africa and Southern Europe, where it provides broadband communications and broadcasting in Ku-band. For Ukrainian subscribers, this position represents the extreme western point of the sky horizon - and this determines all the reception characteristics.
The satellite is also known by its working designation PR-8000. NORAD ID is 64784. The sathub database records 5 transponders and 45 channels.
Launch and operator
Dror 1 was placed into geostationary orbit in 2024. Detailed information regarding the launch vehicle, launch site and manufacturer platform has not been officially confirmed by the operator in open sources at the time of material preparation. Spacecom has long been known in the market for its AMOS satellite series, and Dror 1 expands its fleet in Ku-band on the Atlantic sector of the geostationary arc.
Coverage areas and reception in Ukraine
Position 4.0° W lies far to the west of most Ukrainian cities. The elevation angle of the antenna for Kyiv is approximately 20-23 degrees. This is significantly below the comfortable reception threshold. In practice, when adjusting the dish even in Lviv or Uzhhorod, careful selection of installation location is required: any tree or neighbouring roof to the west-southwest immediately blocks the signal.
| Region | Elevation angle (approximately) | Recommended dish diameter |
|---|---|---|
| Western Ukraine (Lviv, Uzhhorod) | 22-25° | from 120 cm |
| Central Ukraine (Kyiv, Vinnytsia) | 18-22° | from 150 cm |
| Eastern Ukraine (Kharkiv, Dnipro) | 15-18° | from 180 cm |
| Southern Ukraine (Odesa, Kherson) | 17-20° | from 150 cm |
According to signal measurements even in moderate cloud conditions at angles below 20°, the signal level margin drops sharply. Therefore, an offset or prime focus dish of increased diameter is not a luxury here, but a necessity. The converter should be chosen with a noise figure of 0.1-0.2 dB - this is a really noticeable difference at such elevation angles.
Transponders and frequency plan
Dror 1 operates exclusively in Ku-band. The sathub database records 5 active transponders. The transmission standard is DVB-S2, with QPSK or 8PSK modulation depending on the transponder. Symbol rates, polarisation and exact frequencies are listed in the transponders table on this page.
Television packages and free-to-air channels
The database registers 45 channels. Content is aimed at audiences in the Middle East and Africa - predominantly Arabic language, news, entertainment and religious channels. Some of them are broadcast in free-to-air mode (FTA) and are accessible without a conditional access card if sufficient signal level is available. The current list with reception parameters is in the transponders section below.
Frequently asked questions
Will a standard 90 cm dish receive Dror 1?
No. At such elevation angles, a 90 cm dish will not provide stable signal even in western Ukraine. The minimum for Lviv is 120 cm, for Kyiv and the east - 150-180 cm.
Which direction should the antenna point?
West-southwest. The azimuth for Kyiv is approximately 220-225°, elevation angle is around 20-22°. Exact values depend on the coordinates of the installation location.
Which channels are available unencrypted on Dror 1?
Some of the 45 registered channels are broadcast in free-to-air mode. The current list of FTA channels with transponder parameters is in the table on this page.
Who is the operator of Dror 1?
Israeli company Spacecom, known for its AMOS satellite series. Dror 1 was launched in 2024 to position 4.0° W.