General characteristics
Eutelsat 9B is a geostationary communications satellite operated by French operator Eutelsat at position 9.0° E. Built on the Eurostar 3000 platform by Airbus Defence and Space, it carries 30 active Ku-band transponders and provides broadcasting of over 503 television channels to audiences in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The 9° E position is well known to installers: the antenna is easy to align with neighbouring orbital positions on multi-feed installations, and the elevation angle for most regions of Ukraine is sufficient for stable reception without critical interference from terrain or buildings.
History and launch
The satellite was launched into geostationary orbit on 5 August 2016 by Ariane 5 launch vehicle from Kourou spaceport in French Guiana. The estimated operational lifetime is 15 years. In addition to standard television payload, Eutelsat 9B carries the EDRS-A (European Data Relay System) payload on board. This is a laser relay system that transmits data between low-orbit spacecraft and ground stations as part of the European data exchange programme. EDRS-A has no impact on television broadcasting.
Coverage areas and reception in Ukraine
The satellite forms several regional beams: Europe, Middle East, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. For Ukraine, the European Ku beam is relevant. In practice, when setting up a 0.75 m antenna in Kyiv, the signal level is stable even under dense cloud conditions - position 9° E is not problematic for central and western regions of the country. In the east, a reserve in the form of a larger diameter dish is recommended.
| Reception region | Beam | Recommended antenna diameter |
|---|---|---|
| Central Ukraine (Kyiv) | Europe Ku | 60-75 cm |
| Western Ukraine (Lviv) | Europe Ku | 60 cm |
| Eastern Ukraine | Europe Ku | 75-90 cm |
| Southern Ukraine (Odesa) | Europe / Middle East Ku | 60-75 cm |
| Middle East | Middle East Ku | 75-90 cm |
| North Africa | North Africa Ku | 90 cm |
Transponder capacity and frequency parameters
Eutelsat 9B operates exclusively in the Ku band. In the sathub database, 30 active transponders are recorded with a total capacity of 503 channels. DVB-S and DVB-S2 standards are supported with QPSK and 8PSK modulation. Symbol rates vary depending on the specific broadcaster package. Polarisation is horizontal (H) and vertical (V), so a universal LNB is a mandatory requirement for full reception. Most modern receivers support these standards without manual intervention in settings.
Television packages and FTA channels
Position 9° E attracts broadcasters targeting Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. DTH packages, commercial broadcasting services and open FTA channels from various countries are present here. Part of the transponders are available without a conditional access card - this makes the satellite interesting for FTA reception enthusiasts. The current list of transponders with frequencies, symbol rates and encryption status is always available in the sathub database.
Frequently asked questions
- What antenna is needed to receive Eutelsat 9B in Ukraine?
- In the western part of the country, a 60 cm dish is sufficient. For central regions, the optimal diameter is 60-75 cm, in the east and in areas with weak signal it is better to take 75-90 cm with a margin for rain and cloud cover.
- Are there open FTA channels on Eutelsat 9B?
- Yes, part of the transponders contain channels in open mode. The current list with parameters is available in the transponder table on the satellite page.
- What is EDRS-A and what is its relationship to Eutelsat 9B?
- EDRS-A is the payload of the European Data Relay System located on board Eutelsat 9B. It provides laser relay of data between low-orbit satellites and ground stations. It has no impact on television broadcasting.
- What modulation standard do Eutelsat 9B transponders use?
- DVB-S and DVB-S2 with QPSK and 8PSK modulation. Most modern receivers are compatible with these standards without additional settings.