Astra 3B
| Company type | Satellite |
|---|---|
| Industry | Communications satellite |
| Founded | May 21, 2010 |
| Products | Digital television and radio services, two-way satellite broadband connectivity, internet service broadcasting |
| Owner | SES |
| Parent | SES |
Astra 3B is a Astra communications satellite owned and managed by SES, launched in 2010 and positioned at the Astra 23.5°E orbital slot. It delivers digital television and radio services for direct-to-home (DTH) audiences, in addition to providing the AstraConnect two-way satellite broadband connectivity throughout Europe and Asia.
This satellite also facilitates the one-way Othernet internet service across Europe, transmitting news, weather updates, educational content, and other media to areas with limited internet availability through compact, lightweight receivers.
In May 2018, SES utilized Astra 3B to showcase its inaugural demonstration of Ultra-high-definition television (UHDTV) in 8K resolution.
During summer 2023, the satellite Astra 5B was moved from the 31.5° East position to share the orbital location at 23.5°E with Astra 3B. Renamed Astra 3C, this satellite started assuming broadcasting responsibilities previously handled by Astra 3B, indicating that Astra 3B is approaching the conclusion of its commercial service life—approximately two years shy of its originally intended operational period.
Satellite description
The spacecraft transmits three broadcast beams featuring both horizontal and vertical polarisation, each covering distinct terrestrial areas. The Pan-European Wide beam enables DTH reception on 60 cm dishes across Europe, spanning from Spain to the Black Sea and from Greece up to Scandinavia. Additionally, the European spot beam (covering central and eastern Europe) and the Middle East spot beam (serving the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, and Iraq) provide contribution, distribution, data transmission, and IP trunking services between these regions. These use Ka-band uplink/downlink frequencies in Europe and Ku-band frequencies in the Middle East.
Launch
Astra 3B was launched on 21 May 2010 at 22:01 UTC following nearly two months of postponements caused by technical complications related to pressurization in the Ariane 5 launch vehicle's main stage. This included two on-pad delays occurring in March and April 2010.
Operations
Commercial service commenced in June 2010 with a focus on DTH broadcasting for the Benelux countries and Eastern Europe, alongside offering two-way broadband via ASTRA2Connect throughout Europe and the Middle East. In January 2011, SES revealed that Bulgarian DTH provider Satellite BG would begin delivering over 60 SD channels and 12 HD channels—including sports, movies, factual content, children’s programming, as well as major Bulgarian public and commercial services—via Astra 3B starting February 2011 using three transponders.
The deployment of Astra 3B optimized spectrum utilization at the 23.5° East orbital location, allowing SES to reposition Astra 1E and Astra 1G satellites formerly stationed there to alternative orbital slots.
See also
- Astra 23.5°E orbital location
- Astra 3A satellite co-located at same position
- Thor 2 co-located satellite
- SES satellite operator
- Astra satellite series
- SES Broadband two-way satellite broadband service