The OptusD3 satellite, the second of two satellites for the Ariane 5 mission, has arrived in French Guiana ready for launch in mid-August 2009.

The Orbital Sciences satellite, owned by Australian-based telecommunications provider Optus, will offer Ku-band fixed communications and direct television broadcasting services to Australia and New Zealand.

OptusD3 is touted as the most powerful spacecraft in the D-series – it will generate about 5kw of payload power to serve up to 32 active transponders.

Two other Optus-owned satellites were put into orbit by the Ariane 5 in 2006 and 2007.

Ariane-5 will also be carrying the JCSAT-12 relay platform as a payload along with the OptusD3.