Intelsat 11 & Optus D2

Intelsat 11 is a communications satellite owned by Intelsat planned to be located at 43° W longitude, serving the Americas market. Intelsat 11 is intended to replace Intelsat 3R which is nearing the end of its design life. It was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, as part of its GEOStar-2 line. Intelsat 11 was formerly known as PAS-11.

The two satellites of the Optus-D series will be based on Orbital's Star-2 platform and will carry 24 Ku-band transponders, with 8 backup channels also available, to provide fixed communications and direct television broadcasting services to Australia and New Zealand. The first satellite, Optus D1, will generate approximately 4.0 kilowatts of electrical power and is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2005. The second satellite, Optus D2, will generate approximately 4.7 kilowatts of power and is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2006. Financial details of the contract were not released.