Australia¿s Optus C1 multi-purpose telecommunications satellite will be launched by an Ariane 5 or Ariane 4 in late 2001 or early 2002 under terms of a contract announced Friday with Cable & Wireless Optus Ltd.
The mission will be performed by Arianespace from Europe¿s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
"We are extremely pleased that the leading Australian operator has chosen to renew its confidence in us," said Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Marie Luton. "This contract confirms our predominant position in the Asia-Pacific zone, and signals a market recovery in this region."
Optus C1 will enable Cable & Wireless Optus Ltd. to provide direct TV broadcast, Internet, telephony and data transmission services for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and South East Asia.
Optus C1 will be the second Australian satellite launched by Arianespace. It follows Optus A3 (formerly known as Aussat K3), which was orbited by an Ariane 3 in 1987.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) is the Optus C1 spacecraft prime
contractor, and will design the communications system payload. The satellite bus will be built by Space Systems/Loral of the United States, which is also in charge of satellite testing and payload integration.
Arianespace has won 12 of the 14 commercial launch contracts open for bid since January 1, 1999, further consolidating its world leadership in the commercial space transportation market.
The Optus C1 contract brings to 206 the total number of commercial orders booked by Arianespace since its creation in 1980. It currently has a backlog of 44 satellites awaiting launch.
