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Optus D3

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Optus D3
Mission typeCommunication
OperatorOptus
COSPAR ID2009-044B Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.35756
Websitehttp://www.optus.com.au/about/network/satellite/fleet/b3
Mission duration15 years
Spacecraft properties
BusStar-2.4
ManufacturerOrbital Sciences
Launch mass2,401 kilograms (5,293 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date21 August 2009, 22:09 (2009-08-21UTC22:09Z) UTC
RocketAriane 5ECA
Launch siteKourou ELA-3
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeostationary
Longitude156° east
Perigee altitude35,778 kilometres (22,231 mi)[1]
Apogee altitude35,808 kilometres (22,250 mi)[1]
Inclination0.05 degrees[1]
Period1436.12 minutes[1]
Epoch23 January 2015, 19:12:10 UTC[1]

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 (5,293 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.[2]

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.[3]

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).[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "OPTUS D3 Satellite details 2009-044B NORAD 35756". N2YO. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  2. ^ a b Krebs, Gunter. "Optus D2, D3". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  3. ^ "Preparations continue with the JCSAT-12 and Optus D3 payloads for Ariane 5's next launch". Mission Update. Arianespace. 12 August 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2009.