Optus D3
| Operator | Optus |
|---|---|
| Major contractors | Orbital Sciences |
| Bus | Star-2.4 |
| Mission type | Communication |
| Launch date | 21 August 2009 22:09 GMT |
| Carrier rocket | Ariane 5ECA |
| Launch site | Kourou ELA-3 |
| Mission duration | 15 years |
| Mass | 2,401 kilograms (5,290 lb) |
| Orbital elements | |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Orbital period | 24 hours |
Optus D3 is an Australian geostationary communications satellite, which is operated by Optus and provides communications services to Australasia. D3 was the third Optus-D satellite to be launched. It is a 2,401-kilogram (5,290 lb) satellite, which was constructed by Orbital Sciences Corporation based on the Star-2.4 satellite bus, with the same configuration as the earlier Optus D2 satellite.[1]
It was launched, along with the Japanese JCSAT-12 satellite, by Arianespace. An Ariane 5ECA rocket was used for the launch, which occurred from ELA-3 at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The launch took place at 22:09 GMT on 21 August 2009, at the start of a 60 minute launch window.[2]
Optus D3 separated from its carrier rocket into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, from which it raised itself to geostationary orbit using an IHI -500-N apogee motor. It has a design life of fifteen years, and carries thirty two J band transponders (US IEEE Ku band).[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Krebs, Gunter. "Optus D2, D3". Gunter's Space Page. http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/optus-d2.htm. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
- ^ "Preparations continue with the JCSAT-12 and Optus D3 payloads for Ariane 5's next launch". Mission Update. Arianespace. 2009-08-12. http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/621.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
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