Optus 10

The Optus 10 spacecraft arrived in French Guiana’s Space Centre yesterday, marking a milestone for a new phase of payload preparations at the spaceport with Arianespace’s Ariane 5 mission.

The spacecraft reached the Félix Eboué Airport near Cayenne, France, on board a chartered Antonov An-124 cargo jetliner and was transferred to the spaceport by road.

Optus 10 was designed for Australian telecommunications service provider Optus.

The satellite will allow Optus to provide direct TV broadcast, internet connectivity, telephone and data transmission services in Australia and New Zealand.

"The satellite will allow Optus to provide direct TV broadcast, internet connectivity, telephone and data transmission services in Australia and New Zealand."

Designated Flight VA218, the Ariane 5 mission is scheduled for lift-off in September and will have on board the Optus 10 multi-mission satellite, as well as the co-passenger MEASAT-3b relay platform.

Built by Airbus Defence and Space, the MEASAT-3b will be operated by MEASAT to support direct-to-home broadcast and VSAT services to small terminals across Malaysia, India, Indonesia and Australia.

MEASAT-3b was in storage at the spaceport awaiting the availability of Optus 10.

Earlier this month, the Ariane 5 was transferred from the spaceport’s launcher integration building to the final assembly building where the dual-passenger payload will be installed.

Ariane 5 was originally scheduled for launch on 6 June, but it was delayed after two payloads to be carried by Arianespace had to undergo additional verifications.

Image: Optus 10 is unloaded from the An-124 cargo jetliner after its arrival at Félix Eboué Airport near French Guiana’s capital city of Cayenne. Photo: courtesy of Arianespace.

Defence Technology