Astra 2D
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| General information | |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 19 December 2000 |
| Launch mass | 1420 kg |
| Orbit mass | 824 kg |
| Manufacturer | Hughes |
| Model | HS-376 |
| Launcher / Flight Number |
Ariane 5 / 138 |
| Lifetime | 12 years |
| Transponder Information | |
| Transponder capacity | 16 Ku band |
| TWT Amp output power | 39 watts |
| Bandwidth | 16*26 |
| EIRP | 53 |
| Sundries | |
| Expendable energy | 1600 watts |
| Location | |
| Former location | 24°E |
| Current location | 28.2°E |
| List of broadcast satellites | |
Astra 2D is one of a group of satellites operated by SES Astra, located at 28.2° East in the Clarke Belt. It is a Hughes HS-376 craft, and was launched from Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou 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. Although the satellite's beam is tightly focused on the British Isles, 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 (an encryption method closely guarded by the NDS Group) and only Sky Digiboxes with valid cards can decode these channels.
The BBC broadcasts all of its domestic television channels (including the regional variations of BBC One and BBC Two) unencrypted from the Astra 2D satellite.
ITV also broadcasts all its television channels (including regional variations of ITV 1, as well as STV and UTV) unencrypted from the Astra 2D satellite.
Channel 4 also broadcasts its additional channels—E4, More4 and Film4 along with their timeshift variants from this satellite, the former 2 are encrypted, the latter is free-to-air. However, Channel 4 itself comes from Astra 2A.
Although primarily a television broadcast satellite, other services such as satellite internet can be carried.
