Eutelsat 5 West B is a geostationary telecommunications satellite operated by French company Eutelsat at orbital position 5.0° W. The spacecraft serves a wide region from the Atlantic to Western Asia: direct-to-home television broadcasting (DTH), broadband access and corporate VSAT services. For Ukrainian dish owners, this position is located in the western part of the horizon, so correct azimuth and elevation angle adjustment is essential for stable reception.
On board are 18 active Ku-band transponders, through which 261 channels are transmitted. The Eurostar Neo platform from Airbus Defence and Space provides increased energy efficiency and flexible power distribution between beams over a design life of 15 years.
Launch and technical specifications
The satellite was launched on 16 December 2020 from Cape Canaveral (Space Launch Complex 40) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Manufacturer - Airbus Defence and Space, Eurostar Neo platform. This generation of geostationary platforms is distinguished by a fully electric propulsion system for orbital insertion and increased electrical power of onboard equipment.
Eutelsat 5 West B replaced its predecessor Eutelsat 5 West A at the same position, maintaining service continuity for broadcasters and corporate clients. The design life of active service is 15 years.
Coverage areas and reception in Ukraine
The satellite forms several regional Ku-band beams covering Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Western Asia and the Atlantic region. For Ukraine, the signal arrives at an elevation angle of 25-30° and azimuth of 200-210°, meaning the antenna points to the southwest. The horizon sector in this direction must be completely clear - trees, buildings or fences directly affect signal quality.
In practice, when adjusting a 0.85 m dish in Kyiv, the signal level on main transponders is quite sufficient for confident reception. In the east and south of the country, the situation is different - there position 5° W falls on the periphery of the coverage area, so a larger diameter antenna is recommended.
| Reception region | Coverage | Recommended antenna diameter |
|---|---|---|
| Western Ukraine | Ku-beam (Europe) | 60-75 cm |
| Central Ukraine (Kyiv) | Ku-beam (Europe) | 75-90 cm |
| Southern Ukraine | Ku-beam (periphery) | 90-110 cm |
| Eastern Ukraine | Ku-beam (periphery) | 100-120 cm |
According to signal measurements under dense cloud conditions, the signal margin on a 90 cm antenna in Central Ukraine remains acceptable, but in the east with a 75 cm dish the picture is already unstable. A diameter of 100-120 cm there is not a luxury but a necessity.
Transponder capacity and frequency bands
Eutelsat 5 West B operates exclusively in the Ku-band (10.7-12.75 GHz). The sathub database records 18 active transponders with 261 channels. Signal transmission - DVB-S2 standard, QPSK and 8PSK modulation. SD and HD formats are supported. Transponder polarization - horizontal (H) and vertical (V).
Reception requires a standard converter (LNB) with local oscillator frequency of 9750/10600 MHz or 10750 MHz - depending on the specific transponder. Most modern universal LNBs cover both sub-bands automatically.
Television packages and free-to-air channels
The main broadcast load consists of Eutelsat Broadcast Services (EBS) services for broadcasters in Europe and Africa. DTH packages are available for African and Middle Eastern markets, with separate free-to-air (FTA) channels for European broadcasting. The corporate segment includes VSAT services for business and government structures.
Content includes news, entertainment and thematic channels in French, Arabic and other regional languages. A complete up-to-date list of transponders and channels is available in the sathub database with filtering by polarization, frequency and encryption status.
Frequently asked questions
What antenna is needed to receive Eutelsat 5 West B in Kyiv?
For stable reception, an antenna with a diameter of 75-90 cm is sufficient, oriented to azimuth 200-210° with an elevation angle of approximately 27-28°.
Are there free-to-air channels (FTA) on the satellite?
Yes, some transponders contain unencrypted FTA channels. An up-to-date list with encryption status marking is available in the transponder table on the satellite page.
What modulation standard does Eutelsat 5 West B use?
DVB-S2 with QPSK and 8PSK modulation. Most modern receivers support these standards without additional configuration.
How to identify the satellite in the NORAD catalogue?
The spacecraft is registered under number 44624. Using this identifier, you can track the exact position of the satellite through specialized orbital object monitoring services.