Australia-based SingTel Optus will launch its Optus 10 satellite, which will offer enhanced data transmission services, on an Ariane 5 rocket in 2013 from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana.

The Optus 10 satellite, which is under construction by Space Systems/Loral in California, US, will be mounted with 24 Ku-band transponders and weigh about 3,200 kilograms at launch.

Optus 10 is developed on the SS/L 1300 platform, which has a 15 years design life.

The main purpose of the satellite is to provide direct TV broadcast, internet connectivity, telephone and data transmission services for Australia and New Zealand.