Marcopolo 1 & 2 (derelict)

[Analoguesat]

Another piece of history - here the BSB footprints for the Marcopolo birds that supplied the DBS service to the UK in the early 1990's.

Crazy as it seems now 2 satellites were required to supply just 5 channels!

Marco Polo 1 was acquired in-orbit by Nordiska Satellitaktiebolaget in 1993, and operated until 2000 as Sirius 1 in the 5E orbital slot. It was then moved to 13 W, and renamed SiriusW and is operating in an inclined orbit, Nordic Satellite AB expected it to be servicable past 2006, although BSB 1 was sent up to the junk orbit in May 2003


Marco Polo 2 was acquired in-orbit by Telenor of Norway in 1992, and renamed Thor 1. It was located at 0.8 W until it was switched off in January 2002. However, in November 2002, it was moved to 7.4W, and reactivated with digital test signals broadcasting towards Scandanavia. But, the end was near, and poor old Marco Polo 2 was sent up to the junk orbit in early January 2003..

[Analoguesat]

And heres the last ever image transmitted off the BSB craft

[madrat]

They seamed more powerfull crafts than the Astra's, is that correct?

[Analoguesat]

About the same if one tp was used - but 2 tp's could be strapped together to double the power output. When Marcopolo 1 was the only one operational as she only had 5 frequencies only 2 channels could run at high power at the same time!

[madrat]

I just wondered because the size of the dish needed was smaller comared to the ones needed for Astra.

[AceB]

The signal from Marco Polo was very strong, especially for back then. I was working for Granada Rentals in Brighton at the time installing BSB and we did a number of installs with the squarial inside looking out a SW facing window such was the strength and compactness of the antenna. The only other signal comparable was the TDF bird a bit further south, in fact it was possible to see the signal on a BSB box although it wouldn't lock properly. What amazed most people was the picture quality when hooked up with a scart via RGB, it really was stunning for the time. The little Channel Master dishes were really sexy too, when it folded and we swapped over to $ky the installation time nearly doubled as we had to build those dreadful black mesh Amstrad dishes, I lost count how many stupid little plastic inserts pinged out of the rear frame as I was trying to insert them with cold fingers in the middle of winter

[Likvid]

I received BSB in Sweden with my Winegard 3.1m antenna.

It was the minimum for reception here, went to my friend in England, we went to the local satshop in the town and signed up for BSB, when i went home i called my friend to call customer service to activate the receiver, 30 minutes later i got a picture.

BSB was great quality.

[stevo25]

i remember it fondly i even installed the dish @ my dads house and as a dealer box was switched on with my brother holding the dish in the lounge and had good enough signal to get it activated