SES 4 is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SES at orbital position 22.0° W. The spacecraft serves broadcasting, data transmission and corporate communications from Europe to the Asia-Pacific region. For Ukrainian reception the position is peripheral. However, with a dish of appropriate diameter the signal is reliably received even in central regions of the country.
On board are 25 active transponders in the C and Ku bands - totalling over 297 channels. The SSL 1300 platform with a design life of 15 years provides stable presence of SES at this Atlantic position.
History and launch
The satellite was launched to geostationary orbit in 2011 by Proton-M launch vehicle from Baikonur. Manufacturer is SSL (Space Systems Loral), SSL 1300 platform, one of the most proven in the commercial satellite industry. NORAD identifier 38087 allows tracking the spacecraft in space object catalogues. SES 4 replaced its predecessor at position 22.0° W and significantly expanded the capacity of the operator's constellation over the Atlantic.
Coverage zones and reception in Ukraine
The satellite forms several regional beams: European, Middle Eastern, African and Asia-Pacific. Position 22.0° W lies far to the west of Ukraine's meridian, so Ku-band signal level is moderate. A larger dish is required than for central positions such as 13.0° E or 19.2° E.
| Beam | Coverage | Dish diameter (Ukraine) |
|---|---|---|
| Ku - European | Western and central Europe, partial Ukraine | 1.2-1.8 m |
| C - Global | Europe, Africa, Asia, Middle East | 2.4-3.0 m |
| Ku - African | Africa south of the Sahara | not accessible from Ukraine |
| Ku - Asia-Pacific | South and Southeast Asia | not accessible from Ukraine |
In practice, when tuning a 1.5 m dish in Kyiv, the Ku-band signal level proves sufficient for stable reception in clear weather, but under dense cloud conditions the signal margin becomes minimal - it is better to use 1.8 m immediately. In the western part of the country, in Lviv or Uzhhorod, the elevation angle above the horizon is somewhat higher, so 1.2-1.5 m perform more reliably. In the east and south - 1.8 m and larger. C-band across all of Ukraine requires a 2.4-3.0 m parabola.
Transponder capacity and frequency bands
SES 4 operates 25 active transponders in two bands. Ku is oriented towards broadcasting and VSAT services in Europe and Africa. C-band - backbone communication channels, video exchange between studios and corporate networks with wide geographic coverage.
Most transponders support DVB-S2 with QPSK and 8PSK modulation. Polarization in Ku-band is linear horizontal and vertical, in C-band - circular. Symbol rate varies from 2000 to 45000 Msps depending on the specific broadcaster or service operator.
Television packages and open channels (FTA)
SES 4 hosts over 297 channels from various broadcasters. Among the main categories are European television channels for diaspora and international audiences, African broadcasts for Sub-Saharan African markets, Asian signals and commercial data transmission services for corporate clients.
Part of the transponders operate in open FTA mode - without access cards. Others are encrypted with conditional access systems of pay-TV providers. The current list of frequencies and channels is available in the sathub transponder database.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What dish is needed to receive SES 4 in Kyiv?
For Ku-band a parabolic dish with diameter 1.5-1.8 m is recommended. For C-band - at least 2.4 m.
Are there open FTA channels on SES 4?
Yes, part of the transponders operate in open FTA mode. The exact list depends on the current broadcast schedule and is regularly updated in the sathub database.
What is the elevation angle for SES 4 antenna in Lviv?
For Lviv the azimuth is approximately 212-215°, elevation angle above the horizon - about 22-25°. Exact values are calculated based on the antenna installation location coordinates.
What modulation standards does SES 4 support?
DVB-S and DVB-S2 with QPSK and 8PSK modulation. Most mid-range modern receivers are compatible with these standards without additional configuration.