Telstar 12V is located at orbital position 15.0° W and is operated by Eutelsat. The satellite is primarily oriented towards the transatlantic market. According to the sathub database, 8 active Ku-band transponders and 30 channels have been registered.
For Ukrainian viewers, the 15.0° W position is not a priority. The main beams are directed towards the American and transatlantic direction, so practical interest for reception in Ukraine is limited. However, with an antenna of appropriate diameter and precise pointing, the signal from this position is quite achievable.
History and Launch
The satellite was launched into geostationary orbit in 2015 by Ariane 5 rocket from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana. Manufacturer - Orbital ATK (SSL) company, SSL 1300 platform. This is one of the most common and proven geostationary platforms in the industry. Design lifetime - 15 years. The satellite's NORAD ID is 41036, which allows precise tracking of its orbital position. Telstar 12V replaced its predecessor Telstar 12 and significantly expanded the operator's transatlantic telecommunications capacity.
Coverage Zones and Reception Features in Ukraine
The satellite forms several regional beams. For reception from Ukraine, only the European beam is relevant - the rest are physically inaccessible from our territory.
| Beam | Coverage | Antenna Diameter (Ukraine) |
|---|---|---|
| North American | USA, Canada, Mexico | Reception from Ukraine not available |
| South American | Brazil, Argentina and others | Reception from Ukraine not available |
| European | Western, central and eastern Europe | 90 cm - 1.2 m |
| African / Middle East | North Africa, Arabian Peninsula | Reception from Ukraine not recommended |
In practice, when pointing an antenna at 15.0° W from Kyiv, the elevation angle is approximately 22-24 degrees - this is already quite a low horizon, and the mount requires precise adjustment. In western Ukraine, a 90 cm dish is sufficient. For Kyiv, it is better to use 1.0 m, and for eastern and southern regions - 1.2 m. According to signal measurements in conditions of dense cloud cover, the signal margin on a 1.0 m antenna is minimal, so a smaller diameter is risky here.
Transponder Capacity and Frequency Bands
Telstar 12V operates exclusively in the Ku-band. 8 transponders with 30 channels have been registered. DVB-S and DVB-S2 standards are supported with QPSK and 8PSK modulation. The Ku-band allows for a relatively small diameter antenna, but is sensitive to rain and wet snow. Transponders are distributed between transatlantic telecommunications services, corporate data transmission channels and television broadcasting for the American market.
Television Packages and Open Channels (FTA)
The majority of broadcasting from Telstar 12V is oriented towards North and South America. Services include transatlantic telecommunications services, corporate channels and internet services. Television packages are intended primarily for the American audience. The number of open FTA channels available for reception in Ukraine is minimal - most content is encrypted or oriented towards the American market. An up-to-date list of transponders and channels is available in the sathub database.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What antenna is needed to receive Telstar 12V in Kyiv?
- Recommended diameter - 1.0-1.2 m with precise pointing at position 15.0° W. The signal is weak due to Ukraine's peripheral position relative to the satellite's main beams.
- Are there Ukrainian or Ukrainian-language channels on Telstar 12V?
- The satellite is oriented towards the American and transatlantic market. No Ukrainian-language packages have been registered in the database.
- What broadcasting standard does Telstar 12V use?
- DVB-S and DVB-S2 with QPSK and 8PSK modulation in the Ku-band. Parameters of specific transponders are available in the frequency table on the satellite page.
- How to find Telstar 12V using a receiver?
- Enter orbital position 15.0° W and Ku-band. Use the transponder scan function or enter frequencies manually from the table on sathub.