Astra 2D
Encyclopedia
Astra 2D is one of a group of Astra
communications satellite
s operated by SES, located at 28.2° east
in the Clarke Belt. It is a Hughes HS-376 craft, and was launched from the Guiana Space Centre in December 2000.
Most of the transponders are used to provide television channels available on the Sky Digital
satellite
service to the United Kingdom
and Republic of Ireland
and the non-subscription service, Freesat
. Although the satellite's beam is tightly focused on the United Kingdom and Ireland
, surrounding countries have the ability to pick the signal up (dependent on suitably sized satellite dishes). However some channels on 2D are encrypted with Videoguard
(a proprietary encryption method by the NDS Group
) and only Sky Digiboxes with valid cards, or standard hardware with non-approved (with respect to the Sky/NDS end-user contract) "Dragon", or "T-Rex" Conditional Access Modules can decode these channels.
The BBC
broadcasts all of its domestic television channels (including BBC HD
and the regional variations) from the Astra 2D satellite, except the BBC News Channel and BBC Parliament
which broadcast from Astra 2A
. All domestic BBC channels have been Free to air since 29 July 2003.
ITV
also broadcasts all its television channels (including regional variations of ITV1
, as well as STV and UTV
) from the Astra 2D satellite. All ITV channels have been free to air from 1 November 2005, although some regions reverted to Free-To-View encryption in 2008 when their lease on one 2D transponder could not be renewed. The ITV HD
channel is broadcast from Eurobird 1
.http://www.flysat.com/ebird1.php
Channel 4
also broadcasts most of its channels free-to-air from this satellite. These are Channel 4, Channel 4+1, E4, More4
and Film4
along with their timeshift variants from this satellite, all unencrypted apart from the feeds of Channel 4, Channel 4+1, E4 and E4+1 intended for viewers in Ireland, which remain encrypted.
From November 2008, Five began to transmit free-to-air for the first time on Astra 2D. They use borrowed space on one of the BBC transponders, allowing them to join Freesat, although occasionally some programmes on this feed are blacked out for rights reasons. Five continue to broadcast other Free To View encrypted versions of their main channel and additional spin-offs Fiver (now 5*) and Five US
which currently remain unavailable on Freesat.
Although primarily a television broadcast satellite, other services such as satellite internet can be carried.
Astra
-Religion and mythology:* Astra in Sanskrit* Astra Planeta:**Children of Astraeus in Greek mythology, gods of the five wandering stars**The wandering stars, or naked-eye planets, themselves-Comics and manga:...
communications satellite
Communications satellite
A communications satellite is an artificial satellite stationed in space for the purpose of telecommunications...
s operated by SES, located at 28.2° east
Astra 28.2°E
Astra 28.2°E is the name for the group of Astra communications satellites co-located at the 28.2° East position in the Clarke Belt that are owned and operated by SES based in Betzdorf, Luxembourg...
in the Clarke Belt. It is a Hughes HS-376 craft, and was launched from the Guiana Space Centre in December 2000.
Most of the transponders are used to provide television channels available on the Sky Digital
Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)
Sky is the brand name for British Sky Broadcasting's digital satellite television and radio service, transmitted from SES Astra satellites located at 28.2° east and Eutelsat's Eurobird 1 satellite at 28.5°E. The service was originally launched as Sky Digital, distinguishing it from the original...
satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
service to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and the non-subscription service, Freesat
Freesat
Freesat is a free-to-air digital satellite television joint venture between the BBC and ITV plc, serving the United Kingdom. The service was formed as a memorandum in 2007 and has been marketed since 6 May 2008...
. Although the satellite's beam is tightly focused on the United Kingdom and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, surrounding countries have the ability to pick the signal up (dependent on suitably sized satellite dishes). However some channels on 2D are encrypted with Videoguard
VideoGuard
VideoGuard , produced by NDS, is a digital encryption system for use with conditional access television broadcasting. It is used on digital satellite television systems - some of which are operated by News Corporation, which owns about half of NDS...
(a proprietary encryption method by the NDS Group
NDS Group
NDS Group Plc. is a developer of pay TV technology. NDS was established in 1988 as an Israeli start up company. It was acquired by News Corporation in 1992. The company is currently headquartered in Staines, United Kingdom...
) and only Sky Digiboxes with valid cards, or standard hardware with non-approved (with respect to the Sky/NDS end-user contract) "Dragon", or "T-Rex" Conditional Access Modules can decode these channels.
The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
broadcasts all of its domestic television channels (including BBC HD
BBC HD
BBC HD is a high-definition television network provided by the BBC. The service was initially run as a trial from 15 May 2006 until becoming a full service on 1 December 2007...
and the regional variations) from the Astra 2D satellite, except the BBC News Channel and BBC Parliament
BBC Parliament
BBC Parliament is a British television channel from the BBC. Its remit is to make accessible to all the work of the parliamentary and legislative bodies of the United Kingdom and the European Parliament...
which broadcast from Astra 2A
Astra 2A
Astra 2A is a communications satellite owned by SES Astra. Launched in 1998, half its expected end-of-life capacity of 28 transponders were pre-booked by BSkyB, who utilised it to launch their new Sky Digital service...
. All domestic BBC channels have been Free to air since 29 July 2003.
ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
also broadcasts all its television channels (including regional variations of ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
, as well as STV and UTV
UTV
UTV is a television channel based in the UK region of Northern Ireland. The channel is the Channel 3 or Independent Television licensee for Northern Ireland and is operated by UTV Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of UTV Media.- Terrestrial :* Analogue: Normally tuned to 3 * Freeview : 3...
) from the Astra 2D satellite. All ITV channels have been free to air from 1 November 2005, although some regions reverted to Free-To-View encryption in 2008 when their lease on one 2D transponder could not be renewed. The ITV HD
ITV HD
ITV1 HD is a British free-to-air high-definition television channel operated by ITV plc, the company which is contracted to provide 11 ITV services across the UK. ITV1 HD is available to view in England, Wales and the Scottish Borders on Freesat via channel 119, Freeview channel 51, Sky channel...
channel is broadcast from Eurobird 1
Eurobird 1
Eurobird 1 is a Eutelsat operated Eurobird satellite, used primarily for digital television. It is located at 28.5° east in the Clarke Belt, just within the range of most satellite dishes pointed at SES Astra's Astra 2A, 2B and 2D at 28.2° east...
.http://www.flysat.com/ebird1.php
Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
also broadcasts most of its channels free-to-air from this satellite. These are Channel 4, Channel 4+1, E4, More4
More4
More4 is a digital television channel, run by British broadcaster Channel 4, that launched on 10 October 2005. It is carried on Freeview, on satellite broadcasters Freesat and Sky, UK IPTV broadcaster TalkTalk TV and on UK cable network Virgin Media and in the Republic of Ireland cable networks...
and Film4
Film4
Film4 is a free digital television channel available in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, owned and operated by Channel 4, that screens films.-Programming:...
along with their timeshift variants from this satellite, all unencrypted apart from the feeds of Channel 4, Channel 4+1, E4 and E4+1 intended for viewers in Ireland, which remain encrypted.
From November 2008, Five began to transmit free-to-air for the first time on Astra 2D. They use borrowed space on one of the BBC transponders, allowing them to join Freesat, although occasionally some programmes on this feed are blacked out for rights reasons. Five continue to broadcast other Free To View encrypted versions of their main channel and additional spin-offs Fiver (now 5*) and Five US
Five US
5USA is an entertainment television channel in the United Kingdom owned by Northern & Shell. It was launched on 16 October 2006 as "Five US" and was the second digital channel in the UK to be launched by RTL Group as part of their multi-channel strategy, the first being Five Life...
which currently remain unavailable on Freesat.
Although primarily a television broadcast satellite, other services such as satellite internet can be carried.
See also
- Astra 2AAstra 2AAstra 2A is a communications satellite owned by SES Astra. Launched in 1998, half its expected end-of-life capacity of 28 transponders were pre-booked by BSkyB, who utilised it to launch their new Sky Digital service...
co-located satellite - Astra 2BAstra 2BAstra 2B is a communications satellite owned and operated by SES Astra, launched in 2000 to join Astra 2A at the Astra 28.2°E orbital slot providing digital television and radio broadcast services to the UK and Republic of Ireland....
co-located satellite - Astra 1NAstra 1NAstra 1N is a communications satellite owned and operated by SES Astra, launched in 2011 to join Astra 2A, Astra 2B Astra 2D at the Astra 28.2°E orbital slot...
co-located satellite - Astra 28.2°EAstra 28.2°EAstra 28.2°E is the name for the group of Astra communications satellites co-located at the 28.2° East position in the Clarke Belt that are owned and operated by SES based in Betzdorf, Luxembourg...
orbital position
External links
- OnAstra - Official consumers/viewers' site
- SES guide to receiving Astra satellites
- SES guide to channels broadcasting on Astra satellites