General Characteristics
Es'hail 2 is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Es'hailSat (Qatar Satellite Company) at orbital position 26.0° E. The satellite is primarily oriented towards the Middle East and North African markets, but its coverage zone extends across a significant portion of Europe, including Ukraine. The sathub database records 16 active transponders and 96 channels in the Ku-band.
The 26.0° E position is located near the well-known orbital slots of Badr/Arabsat and Eutelsat 25.5° E, making it convenient for reception on antennas already oriented towards this sector of the sky. For Ukrainian users, the satellite is of particular interest for Arabic-language content and BeIN Sports packages.
History and Launch
Es'hail 2 was launched on 15 November 2018 by SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. The satellite was built on the Boeing 702SP platform - a compact dual-satellite version of the well-known 702 platform, adapted for paired launch on a single rocket. The design lifetime is 15 years, approximately until 2033.
Es'hailSat is a state-owned company of Qatar, founded in 2010. Es'hail 2 is the second satellite in the fleet after Es'hail 1 (2013) and significantly expands the operator's bandwidth and geographic coverage. A special feature of this satellite is the amateur radio transponder AMSAT Phase 4-B on board, the world's first geostationary relay for radio amateurs.
Coverage Zones and Reception in Ukraine
The main Ku-band beam is oriented towards the Middle East and North Africa with maximum EIRP levels. A wide beam covers Europe, including Ukraine, but the signal level here is noticeably lower than in the target region. In practice, when setting up a 0.9 m dish in Lviv, the signal is reliable even under dense cloud conditions, whereas in Kharkiv and Sumy, a stable reception without an antenna of 1.2 m or larger is not guaranteed.
| Beam | Coverage | Antenna Diameter (Ukraine) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Ku (MENA) | Middle East, North Africa | not target region |
| Wide Ku (Europe) | Southern and Central Europe, Ukraine | 90 cm - 1.2 m |
| Western Ukraine (Lviv) | Best reception zone in Ukraine | 90 cm |
| Central Ukraine (Kyiv) | Satisfactory reception | 1.0 - 1.2 m |
| Eastern and Northern Ukraine | Marginal coverage zone | 1.2 m and larger |
For stable reception in Ukraine, an antenna with a diameter of at least 90 cm in the west and 1.0-1.2 m in central and eastern regions is recommended. The converter should be a standard Ku LNB with a local oscillator frequency of 9750/10600 MHz or 10750 MHz depending on the specific transponders.
Transponder Capacity and Frequency Bands
Es'hail 2 operates exclusively in the Ku-band. The sathub database records 16 transponders. Broadcasting is conducted primarily in the DVB-S2 standard with 8PSK and QPSK modulation, ensuring efficient bandwidth utilization for HD and SD content. Symbol rates vary from 27500 to 30000 Msps depending on the package.
Transponder polarization is horizontal (H) and vertical (V). Reception frequency range: 10.7-12.75 GHz. Separately, it is worth mentioning a narrowband transponder for radio amateurs: uplink in the 2.4 GHz band, downlink in 10.45-10.5 GHz. This is a unique feature of the satellite, not found on any other commercial geostationary satellite.
Television Packages and Free-to-Air (FTA) Channels
The main commercial content on Es'hail 2 is Arabic-language television channels and the BeIN Sports package featuring football, tennis and other sporting events. Most premium content is encrypted - using BISS, Viaccess or the operator's proprietary conditional access systems.
Among free-to-air (FTA) channels, there are Arabic news, religious and entertainment broadcasters. For Ukrainian viewers, the practical interest is primarily in sports broadcasts and news channels from the Middle East region. An up-to-date list of transponders and channels is available in the sathub database in real-time mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
What antenna is needed to receive Es'hail 2 in Kyiv?
For stable reception in Kyiv, an offset or prime focus antenna with a diameter of 1.0-1.2 m with a standard Ku LNB is suitable. In western Ukraine, 90 cm is sufficient.
Are there Ukrainian or Russian-language channels on Es'hail 2?
The satellite is oriented towards an Arabic-speaking audience. There are no Ukrainian-language channels in the database, though some international channels may have multilingual audio.
How do I configure a receiver for Es'hail 2?
Enter the orbital position 26.0° E, start scanning in the Ku-band (10700-12750 MHz), DVB-S2 standard, H and V polarization. Most modern receivers will find the transponders automatically.
What is the amateur radio transponder on Es'hail 2?
On board there are narrowband and wideband relays for radio amateurs - the QO-100 / AMSAT Phase 4-B project. This is the world's first geostationary amateur satellite available for communication between radio amateurs in Europe, Africa and Asia.