Orbital-Built Optus D3 Communications Satellite Successfully Launched Aboard Ariane Rocket Orbital Sciences Corporation announced today that the Optus D3 commercial communications satellite, built by Orbital for Optus Networks Pty Limited of Australia, was successfully launched into its targeted orbit aboard an Ariane 5 rocket on Friday, August 21, 2009. The mission originated from the spaceport at Kourou, French Guiana at approximately 6:10 p.m. (EDT). The Optus D3 satellite was deployed into a geostationary transfer orbit about 32 minutes after lift-off. Initial communications with the satellite have been established and it is performing as expected in the early stages of the mission.
Read more Object A Period: 633.1 Inclination: 1.95 Apogee 35825 Perigee: 266 Object B Period: 649.45 Inclination: 1.43 Apogee 36033 Perigee: 895
An Ariane 5 rocket is set to propel two communications satellites into space Friday, one for Japanese telecom operator SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation and second for Australian operator Optus. The dual payload is scheduled for lift off from the Arianespace launch site in Kourou, French Guiana between 22:09 and 23:09 GMT on August 21, Arianespace said in a statement.
OPTUS has pencilled in an August launch date for the latest addition to its interstellar satellite fleet. The D3 satellite will join Optus's three other D-series satellites in orbit and will be used to support the growth of digital and pay-TV transmission by providing an additional 30 per cent in capacity across the telco's fleet, Optus says. Optus has invested over $600 million in its D series satellite fleet.
Optus announced today it would further expand its satellite fleet providing services to Australia and New Zealand by launching the third D-series satellite. The new satellite will increase Optus' fleet capacity by more than 30 percent. Paul O'Sullivan, Chief Executive of Optus, said the deal showed Optus' continued investment and commitment to provide the infrastructure to deliver state-of-the-art services via satellite across Australia and New Zealand.