How Satellite TV Works – SES Astra Promotional Video – Satellite Technology

Formed in 1985 as Société Européenne des Satellites (SES), it was Europe’s first private satellite operator

SES Astra is based in Betzdorf, in eastern Luxembourg, and maintained and operated the Astra series of geostationary communication satellites between 2001 and 2011.

At the end of 2011, Astra satellite broadcasts were received in over 135 million households in Europe and North Africa; 57.6 million households in Astra services via a direct-to-home dish. Another 67.8 million households received Astra services via a cable headend, and 9.8 million households received Astra services via an IPTV network. The satellite constellation was broadcasting 200 high definition TV channels. Sixteen million households watched high definition TV channels via Astra satellites.

SES Astra Promotional Video – Part One

SES Astra Promotional Video – Part Two

SES Astra Satellites – Satellite Technology

The signals being sent from the TV studios are sent, via satellite or fibre optics, to an upload centre.

These upload centres send the signals to the satellites. These signals are the “bounced” back to you own private satellite dishes.

This is the SES Astra Upload Station in Luxemburg.

As you can see they have one or two BIG satellite dishes, required to send the signals to their satellites.

Here is a video showing the Astra satellite signal upload site and their satellite dishes.

This is footage for broadcasters showing various video settings of the antenna park at the SES’ headquarters in Luxembourg