Optus D2 [OSC]
Official name OPTUS D3
Alternative name Optus D3
Cospar ID 2009-044B
Norad ID 35756
Launch date 2009-08-21
Launch site FRGUI
Launch vehicle Ariane-5ECA
Country/Organization Australia
Type application Communication
Operator Optus Networks, Pty.
RCS size LARGE
Decay date ON ORBIT
Period (min) 1436.1
Inclination (deg) 0.07
Perigee (km) 35770
Apogee (km) 35803
Eccentricity 0.000461067721068001
Mean motion (revs. per day) 1.00271568832254
Semi-Major axis (km) 42164.635
Raan (deg) 65.7789
Arg of perigee (deg) 330.4562
Shape Box + 2 Pan
Mass (kg) 2475
Height (m) 3.9
Width (m) 2.3
Depth (m) 2.3
Span (m^2) 22.4
Lifetime 15 years
Contractors Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC)
Equipment 24 (+8) Ku-band transponders
Propulsion IHI BT-4
Configuration Star-2.4 Bus
Power 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

The two satellites of the Optus-D series will be based on Orbital's Star-2 platform and will carry 24 Ku-band transponders, with 8 back-up channels also available, to provide fixed communications and direct television broadcasting services to Australia and New Zealand. The first satellite, Optus D1, will generate approximately 4.0 kilowatts of electrical power and is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2005. The second satellite, Optus D2, will generate approximately 4.7 kilowatts of power and is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2006. Financial details of the contract were not released.

In March 2007 Optus D3 was ordered for launch in 2009.

Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
OPTUS D2 2007-044A 2007-10-05 FRGUI Ariane-5GS with Intelsat 11
OPTUS D3 2009-044B 2009-08-21 FRGUI Ariane-5ECA with JCSat 12