Optus spokesman Rob Parcell said Optus 10 will bring a range of vital benefits for Australia, including reliable mobile network coverage in remote areas, and greater bandwidth to support the delivery of video, data and voice services.

“This morning we witnessed the successful launch of Optus’ newest satellite, Optus 10. This represents the next advance into space by Australians and is an exciting milestone for Optus,” he said

“Our satellites reach every part of the country, delivering subscription and free-to-air television and radio services, as well as voice and internet for emergency service providers and mining and agricultural industries,” Mr Parcell said.

Optus claim to have the largest fleet of geostationary satellites in the region, servicing Australia, New Zealand and the McMurdo Sound in the Antarctic.

Spacecraft

Launch Mass: Total mass at lift-off 3,270 kg

Stabilization: 3-Axis Body Stabilised

Dimensions: 

- Stowed: 5.1m x 3.1m x 3.1m

- Deployed: 5.1m x 8.5m x 24.7 mm

Span in orbit: 24.7 m

Platform: SSL (Space Systems/Loral) 1300 LL

Solar Array power: 7535 Watts (EOL)

Life time: Greater than 15 years 

Orbital position: 164 Degrees East

Coverage area: Australia and New Zealand, + 

Australian Island Territories + McMurdo Sound, 

Antarctica

Solar Arrays: 2 x 3 Panel Solar Arrays

- Multi-Junction GaAs and Advanced High 

Efficiency Silicon (AHES) cells

Propulsion: 

- Bi-propellant orbit raising

- Bi-propellant on-orbit drift/eccentricity control

- Ion propulsion on-orbit eccentricity and inclination control and momentum unloads.

Payload

Frequency: Ku-Band FSS/BSS

Repeater: 24 x 36 MHz transponders

- Independently beam and band switchable

Dual Linear Orthogonal Polarisation

TWTA Power: 133 Watts / TWTA (saturated 

output power).

Launch

Launch Vehicle: Ariane A5 ECA

Site: Kourou, French Guiana

Date: 11th September 2014 (French Guiana 

Time)

12th September 2014 (Australian Eastern 

Standard Time)