SES 5 occupies orbital position 5.0° E and simultaneously serves several continents, from Central Europe to the Asia-Pacific region. For installers in Ukraine, this position is convenient - the elevation angle above the horizon is sufficient for reliable reception even on a 60 cm dish in most regions.
Launch and Technical Platform
The satellite was launched into orbit on 4 September 2011 by a Proton-M rocket from Baikonur. It was built on the SSL 1300 platform by Space Systems Loral - one of the most widely used commercial bases for geostationary spacecraft. Design lifetime - 15 years. NORAD number: 38652.
The SSL 1300 platform is distinguished by high electrical power and flexible payload configuration. This allowed SES to place transponders on board for several regional beams simultaneously.
Coverage Areas and Reception in Ukraine
SES 5 generates separate regional beams for specific geographic zones. For Ukrainian viewers, the primary interest is the European BSS beam in the Ku-band.
| Beam | Coverage | Dish Diameter (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Europe BSS (Ku) | Central and Eastern Europe, Ukraine | 60-90 cm |
| Middle East (Ku) | Middle East, Turkey | 75-120 cm |
| North Africa (Ku) | North Africa | 90-120 cm |
| Sub-Saharan Africa (C/Ku) | Africa south of the Sahara | 120-180 cm |
| Asia-Pacific (C) | Asia-Pacific region | 180-240 cm |
In practice, when setting up a 0.85 m dish in Kyiv, the signal level on most Ku-band transponders of SES 5 is maintained with good margin even during heavy cloud cover. For Central Ukraine, 60 cm is quite sufficient. In the eastern and southern parts of the country, where the satellite is closer to the horizon, it is better to install 75-90 cm - this provides the necessary margin during rain or snow. Western Ukraine receives somewhat better reception conditions due to a higher elevation angle.
Transponder Capacity and Frequency Bands
The sathub database records 17 active transponders for SES 5. The Ku-band is mainly used for direct television broadcasting (BSS) to Europe and the Middle East. The C-band provides wide-area coverage of Africa and Asia, but requires dishes from 180 cm - practically inaccessible for domestic installations.
Most television transponders operate in the DVB-S2 standard with 8PSK or QPSK modulation. Reception requires a DVB-S2 compatible receiver. Older DVB-S devices will not work here.
Television Packages and Free-to-Air Channels
SES 5 carries several thematic packages and free-to-air channels for different regions:
- Astra HD+ and German-language channels - packages for the Central European market with HD content.
- European HD channels - international news and entertainment broadcasters.
- African television channels - regional broadcasting for markets in sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa.
- Asian broadcasts - content for the Asia-Pacific region via C-band.
Some channels are available in free-to-air mode (FTA) without conditional access. The complete current list of transponders with reception parameters is available in the sathub database.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What dish is needed to receive SES 5 in Ukraine?
- For most regions, 60 cm is sufficient. In the eastern and southern parts, it is better to use 75-90 cm - for stable signal in adverse weather.
- What bands does SES 5 use?
- C and Ku. For reception in Ukraine, the Ku-band (European BSS) is relevant. C-band is oriented towards Africa and Asia and requires dishes from 180 cm.
- How many channels does SES 5 broadcast?
- The sathub database records 238 channels on 17 transponders. The number may vary according to the current broadcasting lineup.
- What broadcasting standard does SES 5 support?
- The main standard is DVB-S2 with QPSK or 8PSK modulation. A compatible DVB-S2 receiver is required.