
French Guiana: See world's most powerful Ariane 5 rocket blast off
An Ariane 5 ECA (Cryogenic Evolution type A) rocket carrying Optus 10 and MEASAT-3b satellites blasted off from the Guiana Space Centre in Kouru, French Guiana Thursday. The Ariane 5 ECA is the most powerful type of Ariane 5 rocket, able to send payloads up to 9.6 tonnes into orbit.
Optus 10 was built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for Australian telecommunications company Optus. The satellite contains 24 Ku-band transponders and will provide TV, Internet, telephone and data services for Australia and New Zealand. The MEASAT-3b has 48 high-power Ku-band transponders and will provide direct-to-home broadcasting and VSAT (very small aperture terminal) services across Australia, India, Indonesia and Malaysia.

An Ariane 5 ECA (Cryogenic Evolution type A) rocket carrying Optus 10 and MEASAT-3b satellites blasted off from the Guiana Space Centre in Kouru, French Guiana Thursday. The Ariane 5 ECA is the most powerful type of Ariane 5 rocket, able to send payloads up to 9.6 tonnes into orbit.
Optus 10 was built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for Australian telecommunications company Optus. The satellite contains 24 Ku-band transponders and will provide TV, Internet, telephone and data services for Australia and New Zealand. The MEASAT-3b has 48 high-power Ku-band transponders and will provide direct-to-home broadcasting and VSAT (very small aperture terminal) services across Australia, India, Indonesia and Malaysia.