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SAT Observations 97.09.26
WELCOME TO SAT-MIDEAST !
A news release from Cairo, Egypt, located at 30.3 North - 31.15 East,
sponsored by TELE-SATELLIT INTERNATIONAL, Europes Satellite Magazine.
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WHAT YOU'LL FIND HERE:
- Satellite and Transponder Observations in C- and Ku-Band,
- Commented from the Middle Eastern perspective.
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THE HEADLINES IN THIS 97.09.26 REPORT:
(Better a Hot Bird in the hand , than some Intelsats on the move...)
- Launch Information
- 1stNet Transfer
- Hot Bird 3
- Intelsat Moves
- Bits & Pieces
LAUNCH INFORMATION, http://www.satcodx.com/launches.shtml
------------------
The 100th Ariane launch on 23/24 September successfully placed the
INTELSAT 803 spacecraft into geo-transfer orbit using an Ariane 42L
launch vehicle. A live transmission of the launch for the Middle Eastern
countries could unfortunately this time not be determined.
Around 20 minutes after lift-off the, Lockheed Martin built, 3.455 kg
Intelsat 803 satellite was separated from the booster. In between,
actually 36 hours after launch, the first of a series of apogee motor
firings has taken place, in order to bring the satellite on its
temporary geostationary orbit on September 29th to a slot at 27.5 West.
The solar arrays will be fully deployed on October 1st, followed by the
positioning of both the C- and Ku-band reflectors the next day.
The Intelsat 803 will initally replace Intelsat 601 at 27.5 West, and is
scheduled to enter service already on October 5th ! It will remain on
this position until released by another satellite out of the "VIII"
series, most probably the Intelsat 804, due to be launched on Ariane
flight V104, scheduled for December 16th, this year.
Initially the Intelsat 804 was designed to start services on the unused
Intelsat position at 29.5 West. There should be sufficient time
available to make the eventual required adjustments to the reflectors
and feedhorns of the bird and get it to the launch-site in time. If not,
the Intelsat 805 should be the one to go...
Latest in March, Intelsat 803 will replace Intelsat 515 at 21.5 West
where it will provide voice/data and video capacity for customers
throughout Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the North and South
American continents.
Intelsat 803 is the first satellite in the world specifically designed
to deliver the entire African continent. Users will include Discovery,
TV5 Afrique, MCM Africa, AB Cartoons, EuroNews, Canal+ Horizon, Deutsche
Welle, RTP International and RTP Africa.
(SME, SATCO DX)
INTERSPUTNIK-8 / YAMAL 200
--------------------------
Intersputnik toghether with Lockheed Martin putting up a dual-band
satellite "Intersputnik-8 F1" with 16 Ku-band and 28 C-band transponder,
illuminating Central and Eastern Europe. In some reports this satellite
is reffered to as the "YAMAL 200".
A launch is anticipated to the 75 East position in December 1998.
Optional satellites could go later to various Intersputnik slots e.g.
161 East, 40.5 East, 14 West. The 40.5 East position is presently
favoured for a second satellite.
(SME, source Intersputnik)
ARIANE LAUNCHSCHEDULE (approximated, not all dates are confirmed):
---------------------
(sat-info weighted with Middle Eastern importance)
971015: Ariane 502 (V101) (Target Date: to be confirmed)
971104: Sirius 2 (V102) to 5 East (with Cakrawatra 1)
971127: JCSAT 5 (V103)
971216: Intelsat 804 (V104) to 27.5 West to release i803 for 21.5 West
980122: Brazilsat B3 (V105)
9802xx: Hot Bird 4 (V106) to 13 East (with BSAT 1B )
9803xx: Nilesat 1 (V107) to 7 West (with ?)
9804xx: ST1 (V108) (with ?)
9805xx: PAS 7 (V109) to 68.5 East
9806xx: Hot Bird 5 (A503, V110) (with ?)
SOME OTHER INTERESTING LAUNCHES
-------------------------------
Proton:
971125: Asiasat 3 to 100.5 East
Atlas:
980430: Intelsat 806 to 40.5 West
Nilesat 1 will be launched with Ariane in January as earliest.
(SATCO DX, source: Nilesat - Head of Engineering)
ARIANE 502 QUALIFICATION LAUNCH
-------------------------------
The European and French space agencies, ESA and CNES, said in a joint
statement that the crucial test flight for the new European Ariane 5
launcher will be delayed until at least October 15.
The agencies said that "The verification process relating to analysis of
the launcher's control loop has taken longer than expected. Moreover,
final qualification of the flight program software will require two
additional weeks to complete. For these reasons, the launch campaign for
the second Ariane-5
qualification flight at Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, is
being put on hold from 26 September, aiming at a launch on 15 October
1997 at the earliest. The campaign will be resumed seven days before
launch, with the filling of the upper stage.
"The Launcher Countdown Rehearsal performed in Kourou earlier in
September gave good results. Meanwhile, the qualification process
continued in Europe, where computer programs that simulate the real
flight conditions of Ariane 502 indicated a risk of oscillation that
could increase the consumption of the oil that feeds the displacing
actuators used to steer the main engine. To lower the risk of unwanted
oscillations on this specific flight, two activities are being conducted
in parallel:
a: verification of the validity of the data used in the mathematical
model that simulates flight
b: introduction of a corrective measure using a filter to eliminate
unwanted oscillations.
"Incorporating this filter, contained in an electronic box fitted in the
main stage, would entail additional qualification tests that would put
the target launch date back by a further one or two weeks.
"The choice of course of action and a decision on a new target date for
the second test flight of Ariane 5 are expected to be confirmed early in
October."
(SME, source pr ESA/CNES)
THAICOM 3, 78.5 East, http://www.satcdox.com.thai78.html
---------
Continental TV and Punjab TV respective on 3.578 GHz, V and 3.546 GHz,
V, are still irregularely transmitting test cards or hourly test
broadcasts.
The tests of Channel IBC/ThaiSky TV on 3.430 GHz, V, have not been
repeated since the first report three weeks ago.
(SME)
PANAMSAT 4, 68.4 East, http://www.satcodx.com.pas4.html
-----------
The 1stNET DStv package, including the ART programming, is supposed to
cease commencing September 30st. The package is already available from
the Arabsat 2A satellite on 26 East. Tune in to 12.563 GHz, H, with SR
19638 and a FEC of 7/8 and the complete package will appear, without the
need of PID's. A valid subscription and smartcard are of course
essential.
(SME)
TDF 2, 36 East, http://www.satcodx.com/tdf2.html
-----
The footprint map for the Eutelsat "TDF 2" satellite, for its new
location on 36 East, is added to the SATCO DX TDF 2 chart, even if the
satellite still is moving towards 36 East, currently located between 19
and 20 East.
It looks like there will be no reception whatsoever from this satellite
in our area.
(SME)
ARABSAT 2A, 26 East, http://www.satcodx.com/arab2a.html
----------
Quite remarkable: A second time I have to draw your attention to the
regular test card of Yemen TV on C-band transponder 22, 4.180 GHz, LC.
It has changed again. This time they left out a whole dot ! The text is
now as follows: "YEMEN-RTV". Isn't reporting exiting ?
The announced appearance of JSC "Al Jazeera" on the C-Band transponder
12, 3.946 GHz, LC, did not take place, yet.
(SME)
EUTELSAT II-f3, 16 East, http://www.satcodx.com/e2f3.html
--------------
Bosnian TV Indipendant is actually called "Open Broadcast Network" and
is presently receivable on transponder 22L, 11.128 GHz, H. The SR is
3125 and the FEC is 3/4.
(Anonymous)
Polish NTV announced to start transmission on this satellite in MPEG-2
on October 3rd. Unfortunately I do not have transponder, frequency nor
transmitting data available.
HOT BIRD 4, TBL to 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/launches.shtml
----------
Hungarian channel Duna TV has reserved transponder 115, 10.815 GHz, H,
and will start transmissions in spring 1998, the succesful deployment of
the satellite taken as granted, of course.
(SATCO DX, source: Tamas Nyitrai)
HOT BIRD 3, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb3.html
----------
Hot Bird 3 was tested extensively at Eutelsats 29 East slot on 14/15
September, and has arrived last Thursday on its final 13 East position.
Testing was taken up immidiately and since then all transponder have
been seen activated, performing saturation tests, on the well-known
frequencies.
Hungarian channel MTV 2 will officially start broadcasting on
transponder 71, 12.130 GHz, H, on Tuesday, September 30th. Up-link tests
for the channel could be expected even earlier.
A complete update for the channel reservation becomes available in
short...and will be posted in the LATEST OBSERVATIONS file on the
SAT-MidEast NEWS web-site.
(SME)
Antenna Hungaria tested its uplink facilities on September 24th on Hot
Bird 2, using transponder 56, 11.843 GHz, V.
(SATCO DX)
HOT BIRD 2, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb2.html
----------
Fashion TV, analogue on 11.881 GHz, V, in PAL using the superbeam, was
only temporary using this transponder for a test period.
The channel can also be seen during the breaks of the Arab News Network
transmissions on transponder 52, 11.766 GHz, V, and is, in the clear,
part of the French MCM bouquet on transponder 5, 11.304 GHz, H, of Hot
Bird 1.
(SME)
RAISAT channels 1, 2 and 3 started with promotional transmissions in the
RAI package on 11.804 GHz, V, on last Tuesday. On the same day early
morning the channel names changed to RAISAT1, RAISAT2 & (unexpected, but
true) RAISAT3.
(PIDs used are 0204/028E, 0205/028F and 0206/0290)
RAISAT2 will start on Monday, September 29 with its Free-To-Air children
programming. All RAISAT channels are to remain clear for the overseeable
future.
After the, soon to be expected, move from ANN on transponder 52, 11.766
Ghz, V, to a Hot Bird 3 transponder, additional thematic RAI channels
will be launched.
ANN (Arab News Network) on transponder 52, 11.766 GHz, V, received a new
stationslogo last Monday. The previous used signage had too much
resemblance with the "real" CNN trademark, I assume.
(SME)
The 2nd Egyptian Satellite Channel "ESC2" has been added Tuesday evening
to the Arabesque Bouquet available from transponder 65, 12.015 GHz, H.
The channel is encrypted using the VIACESS system. (Parameter SR 27500,
FEC 3/4, PIDs 00A6/0068)
Only ART Europe (actually presently more an Arabesque Promotional
Channel) is visible Free-To-Air. Transmission is identical to the one
received through the superbeam transponder 32, 11.556 GHz, H, from
Eutelsat II-f3, at 16 East.
(SME)
La Chaine Sud is from 22:00 to 24:00 CAT transmitted for TPS through the
Mediasat feed channel (0203/02A8) on transponder 60, 11.919 GHz, V.
(Anonymous)
Antenna Hungaria tested its uplink facilities on September 24th on Hot
Bird 2, using transponder 56, 11.843 GHz, V.
(SATCO DX)
EXPRESS 2, 14 West, http://www.satcodx.com/e2.html
---------
IRIB Exterior Channel re-started its service on last Sunday at 3.975
GHz, RC, with audio on subcarriers 6.20 and 6.80 MHz. The quality of the
reception is exeptional good, coming from this transponder.
(SME)
INTELSAT 605, 24.5 West, http://www.satcodx.com/i605.html
------------
Intelsat 605 has got slight telemetry problems and will be replaced by
the Intelsat 603 satellite, re-positioned from 34.5 West. The Intelsat
605 will be moved to a not yet disclosed postion for Intelsats further
operational requirements.
INTELSAT 601, 27.5 West, http://www.satcodx.com/i605.html
------------
The recent launched Intelsat 803 will release Intelsat 601 at 27.5 West,
due to the telemetry problems on Intelsat 605, and is scheduled to enter
service already on October 5th ! The 803 will remain on this position
until released by another satellite out of the "VIII" series, most
probably the Intelsat 804, due to be launched on Ariane Flight V104,
scheduled for December 16th, this year.
(SME)
INTELSAT 603, 34.5 West, http://www.satcodx.com/i605.html
------------
Intelsat 601, as soon as released from 27.5 West by the Intelsat 803,
will replace this satellite, which itself will go to the 24.5 West
position
(SME)
PANAMSAT 3R, 43 West, http://www.satcodx.com/pas3r.html
-----------
Via Digital has started a digital package on 12.651 GHz, V, MPEG-2,
Free-To-Air (still), on the European beam. Channel line-up as follows:
Eco, Ritmoson, Telehit, Conexion Financiera, Galavision and Telenovela.
This transponder is probably used to feed these channels from South
America to Spain for the Via Digital bouquet.
(SATCO DX)
The European and American golfers fighting it out on the spectacular
golf course of Valdorama in Spain, to win the prestigious Ryder Cup.
All-day live commented transmissions on 12.576 Ghz, V in PAL, for Sky
TV.
In general are the signals coming from this satellite getting better and
better during the last weeks. It seeems that PAS-5 and PAS-6 are taking
slowly some of the load off this bird.
(SME)
SAT-MidEast Intern, http://www.sat-net.com/sat-mideast/
------------------
Upon request of various readers the latest issues of the SAT
Observations in HTML format will remain available on the SAT-MidEast
website as long as they are not have been integrated in the individual
satellite archive pages.
In Egypt ended today at 01:00 CAT the daylight saving time, clocks have
been set back one hour. Time difference to UTC is now +2 hours.
That's all folks, and keep on looking for those birdies !
Henk C. Room / SAT-MidEast / Cairo - Egypt
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