The Lowdown
Australian Space development in focus
Australia in Space, its history and it's future, links, comments and opinion.
| Home | Australian Space News | Australian Satellites & Programs | Australian groups: Gov, Com & Org | History of Australia in Space | Asian Space Development | World Space Links | Just For Kids | Contact Us |
Australia's Satellites & Programs > Optus C1
Optus C1 (Optus and Defence C1)
The Optus and Defence C1 relay platform will operate in four different frequency bands: commercial services in Ku-band for Singtel Optus; and military communications at UHF, X and Ka-bands for the Australian Department of Defence. The C1 satellite launched Thursday, 12 June 2003 is jointly funded by Optus and the Australian Department of Defence, and is the largest hybrid communications and military satellite ever launched.
Optus and Defence C1 is one of the most advanced communications satellites ever built, carrying a total of 16 antennas that will provide 18 beams across Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as global beams covering from India to Hawaii. It is to operate from an orbital slot of 156 degrees East Longitude
Singtel Optus has the prime contractor role to the Australian Department of Defence for the military communications payload, and the satellite was built under the responsibility of Japan's Mitsubishi Electric. The spacecraft uses a FS 1300 satellite bus from California's Space Systems/Loral, which handled its assembly, integration and testing, as well as the supply of the commercial Ku-band payload subsystem. Raytheon from the U.S. was the military UHF payload subsystem contractor.
The military Ka-band payload has four 33-MHz active transponders and one spare. It will provide medium to high data rate defense theatre coverage and duplex video, along with voice and data communications. This Ka-band communications service is a new capability for the Australian Department of Defence.
X-band telecommunications links provided via the satellite will be used by the military for medium to high data rate one- and two-way video, as well as voice and data communications. Service will be provided by four 60-MHz active transponders, with an additional transponder serving as a spare. The X-band communications links also are new for the country's defense network.
UHF links via the relay satellite will enhance UHF capabilities already employed by the Australian Department of Defence, and will be used for low data rate two-way voice and data communications. There are five 5-kHz channels and one 25-kHz channel provided via the satellite.
Satellite Details
| Type / Application: | Communication |
| Operator: | Singtel Optus, Australian Department of Defence |
| Contractors: | Mitsubishi Electric (prime), Space Systems Loral (SSL) (bus) |
| Equipment: | 24 Ku-band transponders, 4 (+1) Ka-band transponders, 4 X-band transponders, 6 UHF transponders |
| Configuration: | LS-1300 |
| Propulsion: | NA |
| Mass: | 4725 kg (2000 kg dry) |
| Orbit: | GEO |
Launch Details
| Satellite | Date | LS | Launcher |
| Optus C1 | 12 June 2003 | Ko ELA-3 | Ariane-5G |
Optus Chief Operating Officer, Paul O'Sullivan said the successful launch of C1 reaffirms Optus' position as Australia's leading satellite operator. "The demand for satellite communications services is growing strongly for direct to home subscription television, for remote and rural communications, and for broadband.
"As Australia's leading satellite provider, Optus is launching C1 to provide the additional satellite capacity that Australia needs," Mr O'Sullivan said. Fifty per cent of the C1 satellite's payload is allocated to the Department of Defence. The balance will be used by Optus to increase its capacity to deliver broadcast services, high speed internet and voice and data communications across Australia and into Asia.
C1 is a significant addition to the combined satellite resources of Optus and SingTel. Optus can now give its customers access to more than 25 satellites. This positions Optus firmly as a leading satellite operator in the Asia Pacific region and will open further business opportunities for both Australian and Asian businesses.
"C1 will contribute significantly to Optus' bottom line. Launch revenues from C1 will be A$250 million, and Optus will receive an additional $40 million a year from the sale of C1 transponder capacity to Foxtel," Mr O'Sullivan said.
Key facts
- The C1 satellite was launch from French Guiana on an Ariane 5G rocket.
- The C1 satellite was launched at nearly full capacity and will be positioned in orbit at 156 degrees east longitude.
- The satellite has 24 Ku band transponders that will provide coverage for Australia, New Zealand and East Asia.
- The C1 satellite has a 15 year life span. · The C1 satellite is controlled from Optus' Sydney earth station.
- The C1 satellite is the fourth satellite in Optus' fleet.
History
Optus C-series - currently comprising a single Space Systems / Loral 1300-series satellite was due to be launched June quater 2003 after a number of delays.
The Optus C1 has an expected life of 15 years. The satellite will improve Optus' regional services and Australia's defence communications.The Optus fleet of satellites presently consists of B1 and B3 in geostationary orbit, with expected geostationary end-of-life dates of 2006 and 2009 respectively. After these dates, these satellites will operate in inclined orbit, designed to conserve fuel. A3 which is already in inclined orbit is now in its twelfth year of operation.
To provide these services, Optus C1, a high-powered model in SS/L's 1300 geostationary satellite bus family, will carry 16 antennas and four payloads: a Ku-band payload for the commercial mission, and UHF, X-, and Ka-band payloads for the defense tasks. Total power on the satellite, designed to operate for 15 years, will be approximately 11kW at end of life. Optus C1 will have a launch mass of nearly five metric tons.
The C1 "Hotbird" satellite will be one of the largest communications satellites launched outside the United States, and the first hybrid military/commercial satellite. The commercial payload will take up about half the satellite's capacity; C&W Optus will use this to improve its high-bandwidth, direct-to-homes services throughout Australia and Asia.
The joint venture reduces costs for the Defence Department. Defence Minister John Moore said the Defence Department had signed contracts with Optus worth $340 million. For the Defence Department, the satellite, known as the Australian Defence Satellite Communications Capability, would mean improved high-bandwidth long range communications.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation will act as prime contractor and will develop the communications payload, and its partner Space Systems/Loral will build and test the unit. Australian industry will support the satellite project and supply most of the ground infrastructure. Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications (NYSE: LOR). Space Systems/Loral is a premier designer, manufacturer, and integrator of powerful satellites and satellite systems. SS/L also provides a range of related services, including mission control operations and procurement of launch services. Based in Palo Alto, Calif., the company has an international base of commercial and governmental customers whose applications include broadband digital communications, direct-to-home broadcast, defense communications, environmental monitoring, and air traffic control. SS/L is ISO 9001 certified.
The 1300 series
The 1300 series sattelite is a powerful, space-proven platform for a wide range of services. It has been in constant evolutionary development to deliver increasingly greater power, communications capability, and longer useful life, keeping the company in the forefront of satellite technology.
Total satellite power ranges from 5 to 12 kW continuously throughout the life of the spacecraft. On-board transmitter power exceeding 5,000 RF watts -- can accommodate as many as 70 active transponders. Launch mass tops out at approximately 5,500 kg.
The size and capabilities of the 1300 can be expanded to generate and process more power, and accommodate larger, more powerful payloads. In total, these changes can provide up to 40 percent more capacity than available in the basic model, ideal for any of today's demanding multi-band and spot-beam payloads.The expanded models feature total satellite power that ranges from 12 to 18 kW throughout the life of the spacecraft, and on-board transmitter power approaching 10,000 RF watts that can accommodate as many as 90 active transponders. Launch mass of the largest version tops out at approximately 6,700 kilograms.
With all of their features and power, satellites in the 1300 line will fit into a 4-meter launch-vehicle fairing.
Recent News
On November 11, 2002 - Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), announced that the Optus C1 communications satellite has completed passive intermodulation (PIM) testing - the last major milestone prior to launch. SS/L has performed system level integration and testing of Optus C1 under contract from Mitsubishi Electric of Japan for SingTel Optus of Australia.
PIM testing evaluates a satellite's ability to avoid interference between operating frequency bands, ensuring that the communications payload will operate as designed. The test is important for Optus C1 because its communications payload operates in four different frequency bands - commercial services at Ku-band for Optus, and military communications at UHF, X- and Ka-bands for the Australian Department of Defence. The test was conducted at the David Florida Laboratory in Ottawa, Canada.
Optus C1 will be one of the most advanced communications satellites ever built, carrying a total of 16 antennas that will provide 18 beams across Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as global beams covering from India to Hawaii. Optus C1 is scheduled for launch aboard an Ariane rocket in mid 2003.
Optus C1 undergoing passive intermodulation
(PIM) testing