| About the Astra 2D satellite |
ASTRA 2D, launched December 19th, 2000, on Ariane 5 from the European space port in Kourou, French Guyana, features up to 16 Ku-band transponders in the frequency range of 10.70 – 10.95 GHz and has a design life of 12 years.
The spacecraft is used by UK broadcasters for digital services targeting the UK and Ireland
All of the BBC's television channels, ITV's regional variations, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, CITV, Men & Motors, Channel 4, E4, More4, Film 4, some Sky Didital services and Irish TV and radio broadcast on the Astra 2D satellite.
Co-positioned with ASTRA 2A and ASTRA 2B, the satellite allows SES to activate up to 56 transponders, spanning the frequency range 10.70-10.95 and 11.70-12.50 GHZ, at the Company’s second orbital position of 28.2° East.
ASTRA 2D carries 16 active Ku-band transponders powered by 39-watt traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs). The satellite's power is derived from two telescoping cylindrical solar panels manufactured in Sylmar, California., by Boeing's Spectrolab, Inc. subsidiary, the leading manufacturer of space and terrestrial solar power systems.
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The panels feature gallium arsenide solar cells similar to those on many proven Boeing spacecraft.
At launch the satellite weighed 3,186 pounds; in orbit, ASTRA 2D weighed 1,816 pounds.
After its deployment, the cylindrical satellite became 26 feet 2 inches tall and 7 feet 1 inch in diameter with its solar panels deployed. ASTRA 2D is designed to have 1600W of power at beginning of life and 1400W of power at end of life.
The primary propulsion subsystem controls spacecraft orbital velocity, inclination, attitude, and spin speed.
The other main section of the spacecraft is the despun portion, which houses the customized communications payload, including the transmitters, receivers, and antennas.
Astra 2D is similar to the other operational Boeing 376HP satellites, the first of which was launched in January 1996.
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The Astra 2D satellite |
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Official Astra 2D footprint |
For a detailed Astra 2D reception map of France, click here. |
For a detailed Astra 2D reception map of Spain and Portugal, click here. |
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Frequency plan for Astra 2D |
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