Eurobird

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Eurobird is the name for a set of satellites owned by Eutelsat. The Eurobird satellites provide broadcasting and telecommunication services primarily to the Western and Central European region from orbital positions of 28.5, 25.5 and 33 degrees East.

There are three Eurobirds in operation as of 2005:

• Eurobird 1, located at 28.5° East, positioned close to SES Astra's Astra 2 satellites, and carries free-to-air and Sky Digital television.
• Eurobird 2, located at 25.5° East, was formerly Hot Bird 5 at 13° East. It is more commonly referred to as Arabsat 2D, and carries mostly free-to-air television.
• Eurobird 3, located at 33° East, mainly used for satellite internet access.
• Eurobird 9, located at 9º East, carries the Portuguese TVTEL package.

Pending investigation of damage caused to the craft, the retired Hot Bird 3 will become Eurobird 10, positioned at 10E alongside Eutelsat W1.