Satellite Fleet

Space segment

ASTRA satellite capabilities and coverage

ASTRA satellites are located at five different orbital positions.

The five satellites located at 19.2º East are in ASTRA’s prime orbital position for direct-to-home (DTH) services to audiences in continental Europe, and the four satellites at 28.2º East are in ASTRA’s prime position for DTH services to the UK and Ireland. 23.5º East is ASTRA’s new hotspot for DTH reception, offering audiovisual services, cable feeds and broadband content to both western and eastern European markets. 5° East is the position used for Direct-to-Home broadcasting to sub-Saharan Africa. ASTRA 4A shares this slot with SIRIUS satellite assets SIRIUS 3 and SIRIUS 4. 31.5° East, ASTRA's new position, is used for direct-to-home broadcasting, cable feeds and DTT feeds in Europe, Western Russia and the Middle East.

The key advantage of co-locating satellites is that audiences can use the same DTH reception equipment when broadcasters and broadband service providers extend their services at the same orbital position.

Unique in-orbit backup

The ASTRA satellite system, through its co-located satellites at prime orbital positions, also has the ability to provide a unique form of in-orbit back-up. If a transponder is switched off, a back-up transponder on the same satellite or a co-located satellite can be immediately activated. The back-up system can therefore guarantee high operational security and continuity of service.