| Eutelsat 31A | |
| Names List: | e-Bird (2003–2006) Eurobird 3 (2006–2012) Eutelsat 33A (2012–2014) Eutelsat 31A (2014–present) |
| Mission Type: | Communications |
| Operator: | Eutelsat |
| Cospar Id: | 2003-043A |
| Satcat: | 27948 |
| Mission Duration: | 10 years (achieved) (in orbit) |
| Spacecraft Bus: | BSS-376 |
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Power: | watts |
| Launch Date: | UTC |
| Launch Rocket: | Ariane 5G |
| Launch Site: | Kourou ELA-3 |
| Launch Contractor: | Arianespace |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric |
| Orbit Regime: | Geostationary |
| Orbit Longitude: | 31° East |
| Apsis: | gee |
| Trans Band: | 20 Ku-band |
| Trans Coverage: | Continental Europe Great Britain Scandinavia Turkey |
Eutelsat 31A, formerly e-Bird, Eurobird 3 and Eutelsat 33A, is a communications satellite that offers capacity for broadband and broadcast services in Europe. It is owned by Eutelsat.
Positioned at 31° East - having been relocated from 33° East in May 2014[1] - Eutelsat 31A is optimised for interactive broadband services, and also valued by broadcasters for occasional use and professional video services, and data networks like Estar by Technologie Satelitarne service.
Its 20 Ku band transponders are connected to four spot beams over Europe and Turkey. These four beams overlap to allow hubs located in the hot spots of each beam to communicate with each other, thus ensuring highly effective pan-European coverage.