
The Optus D1 satellite is scheduled to be launched in September 2006 from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana via an Ariane 5 launcher.
A spokesperson from Optus said the D1 Satellite is the first of the D-series, the series will provide fixed communication and broadcasting satellite services with geographical coverage in A/NZ.
The Optus D1 satellite will replace the current Optus B1 satellite.