Orbital Optus D3 - Manual

Communications
Mission Description
Built for Australia-based Optus Networks Pty Limited, Optus D3 provides Ku-band fixed
communications and direct television broadcasting services to Australia and New Zealand.
The Orbital-built satellite is providing further market expansion at the same orbital slot as the Optus C1
satellite which was launched in 2003 and is located at 156 degrees East Longitude. Optus D3 carries
24 active Ku-band transponders and generates approximately 5.0 kilowatts of payload power.
The GEOStar ™ Advantage
Orbital’s highly successful Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) communications satellites are based on
the company’s GEOStar spacecraft platform, which is able to accommodate all types of commercial
communications payloads and is compatible with all major commercial launchers. The company’s
GEOStar product line includes the GEOStar-2 design, which is optimized for smaller satellite missions
that can support up to 5.0 kilowatts of payload power. Orbital has also developed the higher-power
GEOStar-3 spacecraft design, delivering the next increment of payload power for applications between
5.0 and 8.0 kilowatts, allowing Orbital to offer its innovative and reliable satellite design to the
medium-class of communications satellites.
Coverage:
Australia and New Zealand
Mission:
Ku-band fixed communications and
direct television
Customer:
Optus Networks, Pty.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Optus D3
Ku-band Commercial Communications Satellite
GEO
Optus D3 in Orbital's Dulles, Virginia satellite
manufacturing facility