Hot Bird

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hot Bird is the common name of a family of satellites operated by Eutelsat, located at 13°E over the Equator (orbital position) and with a transmitting footprint over Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

Both digital and analogue radio and television channels are transmitted by the Hot Bird constellation, both free-to-air and encrypted. In addition there are a few interactive and IP services. The satellites currently at 13°E are numbered 6, 7A & 8. Hot Bird 9 has been announced, with a planned launch in Q4 2008, with Hot Bird 10 following in 2009.

The 13°E slot predates the launch of Hot Bird 1 in 1995, with Eutelsat 1F1 having been located there as early as 1983, and Eutelsat 2F1 having also served time at the location.

Hot Bird 2 is no longer in this position; it was re-located to 9°E and renamed Eurobird 9. Two transponders are leased to TV Tel, a new portuguese DTH operator. HOT BIRD 2 satellite were transferred in the night of March. 14. 2007 to HOT BIRD 8.

Hot Bird 3 was removed from service in October 2006 and was intended to be moved to 10°E to become Eurobird 10. During the drift from 13°E to 10°E, the satellite suffered loss of power from one solar array. It is still moving to 10°E, but will operate at a reduced capacity.

Hot Bird 4 was also removed, to 7°W in July 2006, becoming Atlantic Bird 4/Nilesat 103

Hot Bird 5 is no longer in this position; it was re-located to 26°E and renamed Eurobird 2. Six transponders are leased to Arabsat under the name Badr 3, after having been called Arabsat 2D.

Hot Bird 7 was lost in December 2002 during the Ariane 5 ECA launch. Its replacement, Hot Bird 7A (a Spacebus 3000B3) was successfully launched on 11 March 2006. With 38 K_u band transponders, this new satellite will replace Hot Bird 1, a Spacebus 2000, which has reached end-of-life and Hot Bird 4, which is redeployed to 7°W.