Optus is a leader and innovator in satellite-based communications services in the Australasia region providing a comprehensive range of advanced digital satellite services. With the largest fleet of domestic satellites in Australia and New Zealand, Optus delivers the majority of satellite services in those countries, including subscription-TV, free-to-air TV, radio, Internet, voice, and data services.
With over 25 years of experience in satellite services, Optus has an unmatched track record in delivering these services to rural and remote areas in Australia. Optus has the expertise and proven capability to effectively meet all domestic and regional business communication needs.
Optus owns and operates five satellites, Optus B3, C1, D1, D2 and D3. Four older satellites (A1, A2, A3 and B1) were retired at the end of their operational lives. Optus’ satellite footprints cover Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Hawaii, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Lord Howe Island, Cocos Island Christmas Island and McMurdo Sound.
More information on Optus Satellite Service
 |
The Optus B3 satellite was launched in 1994. It is located at the 164ºE orbital slot in inclined orbit with a footprint covering Australia and New Zealand. Optus B3 carries 16 transponders, 15 of them operating in the Ku-band and the remaining one in the L-band with Ku-band feeder links.
Technical Information
Coverage Map
|
Optus B Series Satellite Technical Information
| Satellite |
| Satellite Type: |
Boeing BS601 |
| Launch Mass: |
2,800 kg |
| Mass in Orbit: |
1,200 kg |
| Stablisation: |
3-Axis |
| Dimensions: |
3.3 metres height; 20.9 metres with solar arrays deployed |
| Transponders |
| Operating Bands: |
Ku FSS, L |
| Uplink Frequencies: |
Ku FSS: 14.00 - 14.50 GHz
Mobile Inbound: 1.6465 - 1.6605 GHz
Mobile Outbound: 14.0115 - 14.0255 GHz |
| Downlink Frequencies: |
Ku FSS: 12.25 - 12.75 GHz
Mobile Inbound: 12.2635 - 12.2775 GHz
Mobile Outbound: 1.545 - 1.559 GHz |
| Number of Transponders: |
Ku-Band: 15 @ 50 watts
L-Band: 1 @ 150 watts |
| Bandwidth: |
54 MHz Ku-Band
14 MHz L-Band
16.5 MHz L-Band for RDSS |
| Polarisation: |
Linear (Ku-Band); RHCP (L-Band) |
| Performance |
| EIRP: |
New Zealand beams: 48 - 53 dBW
National beams: 42 - 45 dBW
L-Band National beam: 45 - 48 dBW
Spot beams: 42 - 52 dBW |
| G/T: |
Ku-Band: -2 to +6 dB/K
L-Band: -1 to +2 dB/K |
| SFD: |
Ku-Band: -78 to -96 dBW/m2
L-Band: -105 to -128 dBW/m2 |
| Solar Array Power: |
4,100 W |
| Telemetry: |
Ku-Band |
| Command: |
Ku-Band |
Satellite Network Designer's Guide (pdf) 499 kb
 |
In 2003, Optus successfully launched the world's largest hybrid commercial and military communications satellite Optus C1, in partnership with the Australian Defence Forces. Optus C1 is the Australian hotbird with twenty four commercial Ku-band transponders operating in beams covering Australia, New Zealand, the nearby offshore islands, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii and South East Asia. Optus C1 carries subscription TV services and Aurora Free-to-Air radio and television services to remote areas in Australia.
Technical Information
Payload Information
|
Optus C1 Satellite Technical Information
| Satellite |
| Satellite Type: |
Loral FS1300 |
| Launch Mass: |
4,800 kg |
| Mass in Orbit: |
2,000 kg |
| Stablisation: |
3-Axis |
| Dimensions: |
8.2 metres height; 24.9 metres with solar arrays deployed |
| Transponders |
| Operating Bands: |
Ku FSS, UHF, X, Ka (Defence) |
| Uplink Frequencies: |
Ku FSS: 14.0 - 14.5 GHz |
| Downlink Frequencies: |
Ku FSS: 12.25 - 12.75 GHz |
| Number of Transponders: |
Ku-Band: 24 @ 110 watts |
| Bandwidth: |
Ku-Band: 8 @ 72 MHz, 12 @ 36 MHz |
| Polarisation: |
Linear (Ku-Band) |
| Performance |
| EIRP: |
Ku:
Australia/New Zealand: 40 to 51 dBW
Asia: 45 to 53 dBW |
| G/T: |
Ku:
Australia/New Zealand: -4 to +6 dB/K
Asia: 0 to +8 dB/K |
| SFD: |
-78 to -98 dBW/m2 |
| Solar Array Power: |
10.6 kilowatts |
| Telemetry: |
Ku-Band |
| Command: |
Ku-Band |
X-Band, Ka-Band and UHF payloads are for Australian Military use only.
 |
Optus D1 was launched in October 2006 and replaced B1 at 160°E. It carries 24 Ku-band transponders designed to provide fixed communications and direct television broadcasting services to Australia and New Zealand and specific offshore locations. All direct broadcast services for subscription and free-to-air television to New Zealand are carried on Optus D1 making it the New Zealand hotbird.
Technical Information
Coverage Map
Payload Information
|
Optus D1 Satellite Technical Information
| Satellite |
| Satellite Type: |
Orbital Sciences STAR-2 |
| Launch Mass: |
2,300 kg |
| Mass in Orbit: |
1,006 kg |
| Stablisation: |
3-Axis |
| Dimensions: |
3.9 metres height, 17 metres with solar arrays deployed |
| Transponders |
| Operating Band: |
Ku FSS |
| Uplink Frequencies: |
14.0 - 14.5 GHz |
| Downlink Frequencies: |
12.25 - 12.75 GHz |
| Number of Transponders: |
Ku-Band: 16 @ 150 W, 8 @ 44 W |
| Bandwidth: |
54 MHz Ku-Band |
| Polarisation: |
Linear |
| Performance |
| EIRP: |
Australia: 44 - 52 dBW
New Zealand: 51 - 57 dBW
Australia/New Zealand combined: 43 - 55 dBW |
| G/T: |
Australia: 0 to 5 dB/K
New Zealand: 1 to 10 dB/K
Australia/New Zealand combined: -2 to 5 dB/K |
| SFD: |
-78 to -98 dBW/m2 |
| Solar Array Power: |
4,800 Watts |
| Telemetry: |
Ku-Band |
| Command: |
Ku-Band |
 |
Optus D2 was launched in October 2007 and will replace Optus B3 at 152°E to provide fixed and broadcasting communcations services. Optus D2 will provide ongoing capacity for ethnic broadcast services and VSAT services plus growth to meet future business demands.
Technical Information
Payload Information
|
Optus D2 Satellite Technical Information
| Satellite |
| Satellite Type: |
Orbital Sciences STAR-2 |
| Launch Mass: |
2,460 kg |
| Mass in Orbit: |
1,160 kg |
| Stablisation: |
3-Axis |
| Dimensions: |
4.0 metres height; 21.4 metres with solar arrays deployed |
| Transponders |
| Operating Band: |
Ku FSS |
| Uplink Frequencies: |
Ku FSS: 14.0 - 14.5 GHz |
| Downlink Frequencies: |
Ku FSS: 12.25 - 12.75 GHz |
| Number of Transponders: |
Ku-Band: 16 @ 125 W, 8 @ 44 W FSS |
| Bandwidth: |
54 MHz Ku Band |
| Polarisation: |
Linear |
| Performance |
| EIRP: |
Australia: 44 to 52 dBW
New Zealand: 51 - 57 dBW
Australia/New Zealand combined: 43 - 55 dBW |
| G/T: |
Australia: 0 to 5 dB/K
New Zealand: 1 to 10 dB/K
Australia/New Zealand combined: -2 to 5 dB/K |
| SFD: |
-78 to -98 dBW/m2 |
| Solar Array Power: |
6,440 Watts |
| Telemetry: |
Ku-Band |
| Command: |
Ku-Band |
|
Optus successfully launched its D3 satellite on 22nd August 2009 from French Guiana in South America. D3 is Optus’s 9th successful satellite launch since 1985. The launch of D3 represents the next step in our strategy to strengthen the Optus satellite fleet, and build on our leadership position in Satellite.
Optus D3 operates over Australia in the BSS band and is co-located with the Optus C1 satellite to provide enhanced capability for the Australia’s prime orbital location delivering direct-to-home services across Australia. Optus D3 also provides FSS band back up capacity to New Zealand. Optus D3 provides capacity for growth to meet business demands and increases the resilience of our satellite network for mission critical applications.
Technical Information
Coverage Map
Payload Information
|
Optus D3 Satellite Technical Information
| Satellite |
| Satellite Type: |
Orbital Sciences STAR-2 |
| Launch Mass: |
2,500 kg |
| Mass in Orbit: |
1,188 kg |
| Stablisation: |
3-Axis |
| Dimensions: |
4.0 metres height; 21.4 metres with solar arrays deployed |
| Transponders |
| Operating Band: |
Ku FSS
Ku BSS |
| Uplink Frequencies: |
Ku FSS: 14.0 - 14.5 GHz
Ku BSS: 17.3 - 17.8 GHz |
| Downlink Frequencies: |
Ku FSS: 12.25 - 12.75 GHz
Ku BSS: 11.7 -12.2 GHz |
| Number of Transponders: |
Ku-Band: 24 @ 125 W, 8 @ 44 W FSS |
| Bandwidth: |
BSS Australia: 36 MHz
FSS New Zealand: 54 MHz |
| Polarisation: |
Linear |
| Performance |
| EIRP: |
Australia: 44 to 52.0 dBW
New Zealand: 49 to 56 dBW
Australia/New Zealand combined: 42 to 52 dBW |
| G/T: |
Australia: -5 to +8 dB/K
New Zealand: +1 to +10 dB/K
Australia/New Zealand combined: -5 to +8 dB/K |
| SFD: |
-72 to -91 dBW/m2 |
| Solar Array Power: |
6,440 Watts |
| Telemetry: |
Ku-Band |
| Command: |
Ku-Band |
The Optus Thuraya Service provides access to the Optus GSM Digital Mobile Network and in the case of satellite, the Thuraya Satellite Network. The Optus 2G network covers 96% of the Australian population, making it ideal for users who live or travel to regional areas of Australia. When outside of the Optus 2G network, switch to satellite mode and make and receive calls across Australia on Thuraya’s Satellite network when you have clear line of sight to a Thuraya satellite.
Click here for more information or to view the Thuraya Satellite Network coverage
