Hispasat 30W-6 occupies orbital position 30.0° W and is part of the upgraded fleet of Spanish operator Hispasat. The satellite is oriented towards four key regions: the Iberian Peninsula, France, North and West Africa, and the Caribbean basin with Central America. In the sathub database, this spacecraft is registered with 15 transponders and 118 channels in C and Ku bands.
For Ukrainian viewers, the satellite has no practical significance. However, it is of interest to VSAT specialists, backbone channel operators and anyone researching the Atlantic segment of satellite broadcasting.
Launch and technical base
The satellite was launched into orbit in 2019 by Ariane 5 rocket from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana. Manufacturer - Thales Alenia Space, platform - Spacebus 4000B2, one of the most common mid-class geostationary platforms. Estimated active service life - 15 years.
The launch replaced obsolete spacecraft at position 30° W and significantly increased throughput capacity in all coverage regions. This was part of Hispasat's planned orbital fleet modernisation.
Coverage zones and reception in Ukraine
The satellite forms several regional beams for specific geographical markets.
| Beam | Coverage | Antenna diameter for reception |
|---|---|---|
| Iberian Ku | Spain, Portugal, Andorra | from 60 cm |
| French Ku | France, Monaco | from 75 cm |
| African Ku | North and West Africa | from 90 cm |
| Atlantic C | Caribbean basin, Central America | from 1.8 m |
| Ukraine (out of coverage) | Direct coverage absent | from 2.4 m (specialised stations) |
Orbital position 30° W is physically unreachable for most points in Ukraine. The antenna elevation angle in Kyiv for this orbital position is negative or close to zero. Domestic reception is impossible even with a large-diameter dish. In practice, the signal can only be received at specialised stations with antennas from 2.4 m - and only if there are transponders with eastward beam orientation.
Transponder capacity and frequency bands
Hispasat 30W-6 carries 15 active transponders in C and Ku bands. The Ku band operates primarily for television broadcasting and broadband access in Iberia and Africa. The C band provides stable coverage of the Atlantic region and is used for backbone channels and VSAT networks.
Modulation - DVB-S2 with QPSK and 8PSK support. This allows efficient transmission of both standard and HD video. Polarisation in Ku band - linear horizontal and vertical, in C band - circular.
Television packages and free-to-air channels
Content on Hispasat 30W-6 is primarily oriented towards Spanish and Portuguese-speaking audiences. Among the main broadcasting directions are the Hispasat TV package with Spanish and Portuguese channels, commercial packages for Africa and the Caribbean basin, as well as corporate data transmission channels. Part of the transponders is allocated for VSAT services and corporate broadband networks.
In total, the sathub database records 118 channels, some of which are available in free-to-air FTA mode.
Frequently asked questions
Can Hispasat 30W-6 be received in Ukraine with a standard dish?
No. Orbital position 30° W is outside the visibility zone for Ukraine. The antenna elevation angle is negative, so domestic reception is excluded regardless of dish diameter.
What bands does the satellite use?
C and Ku. Ku band - for broadcasting in Iberia and Africa, C band - for the Atlantic region and backbone channels.
How many transponders are active on Hispasat 30W-6?
The sathub database records 15 transponders and 118 channels.
What platform is used for the satellite construction?
Thales Alenia Space, Spacebus 4000B2 platform. Estimated service life - 15 years.