Optus C1 & BSAT-2c

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

22:38:00

Wednesday June 11, 2003

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Flight V161.

Optus C1

Wiki

Optus (and Defence) C1 was partially funded by the Australian Government (Defence Department) - Optus C1's use is shared between Defence and Telecommunications, in particular the supply of Television services to Australia. Mitsubishi Electric was the prime contractor responsible for manufacturing all the Optus C1 communications systems.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

4,725 kilograms

BSAT-2c

Wiki

BSAT-2c was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation on the STAR-1 platform. It was stationed along its companion BSAT-2a from where they provided redundant high-definition direct television broadcasting across Japan. The original companion for BSAT-2a was BSAT-2b, but a launch failure during its launch during July 2001, meant that it was not possible to commission it into service. Thus, in October of the same year, BSAT-2c was ordered and launched in June 2003. It was retired in August 2013.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

1,275 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Ariane 5 G

Active 1996 to 2003

European Space Agency logo

Manufacturer

ESA

Rocket

Diameter: 5.4m

Height: 52m

Payload to Orbit

GTO: 6,900 kg

Liftoff Thrust

11,400 Kilonewtons

Stages

2

Strap-ons

2

Launch Site

ELA-3

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France

Fastest Turnaround

24 days 3 hours

Stats

Ariane 5


16th

Mission

2nd

Mission of 2003

European Space Agency


148th

Mission

3rd

Mission of 2003

2003


28th

Orbital launch attempt