Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
22:38:00
Wednesday June 11, 2003
Flight V161.
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 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
Manufacturer
ESARocket
Diameter: 5.4m
Height: 52m
Payload to Orbit
GTO: 6,900 kg
Liftoff Thrust
11,400 Kilonewtons
Stages
2
Strap-ons
2
16th
Mission
2nd
Mission of 2003
148th
Mission
3rd
Mission of 2003
28th
Orbital launch attempt