PARIS — SingTel Optus will launch its Optus 10 telecommunications satellite aboard a European Ariane 5 rocket in mid-2013 following a contract announced Oct. 31 by the Arianespace commercial launch consortium.
Evry, France-based Arianespace said Optus 10, which is under construction by Space Systems/Loral of Palo Alto, Calif., is expected to weigh 3,200 kilograms at launch. It will therefore likely be a secondary passenger aboard the heavy-lift Ariane 5, riding into geostationary transfer orbit together with a larger telecommunications satellite.
Optus currently operates four satellites in orbit. Optus 10 is designed to carry 24 Ku-band transponders.
