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United States : SSL-built satellite for Optus begins post-launch maneuvers according to plan [TendersInfo (India)](TendersInfo (India) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that the Optus 10 satellite, designed and built for Optus, was launched yesterday and is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan. The satellite deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The satellite will begin firing its main thruster later today in order to start maneuvering into geosynchronous orbit. It has been a privilege to work with our colleagues at Optus and to see the successful launch of Optus 10, said John Celli, president of SSL. I would like to thank Optus for giving us the opportunity to build this very flexible satellite. Many thanks also to the Arianespace team and to the hundreds of engineers, technicians and managers at SSL who were passionate about making Optus 10 a success. Optus 10 is designed to provide high quality consumer broadcast service and two way voice and data communications services for Australia and New Zealand. The satellite was built with the flexibility to augment the Optus fleet and assure the highest level of ongoing service where it is needed the most. SSL has been a very capable and responsive partner in meeting our needs for Optus 10, said Paul Sheridan, Vice President of Satellite at Optus. We are very pleased that the satellite is performing its maneuvers as planned. Optus 10 will be positioned at 164 degrees East longitude. It has 24 Ku-band transponders and is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 platform, which provides the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. It is designed to provide service for 15 years or more. With this launch, there are 77 SSL-built GEO satellites currently on orbit. (c) 2014 Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |