The upper payload component – containing Australia’s Sky Muster spacecraft mounted on the SYLDA dispenser system, both of which are enclosed in an ogive-shaped fairing – is lowered over the ARSAT-2 satellite for Argentina, which is installed atop Ariane 5’s central core.

[Satnews] Australia will become a genuine leader in rural and remote broadband provision with every home and business in the country able to get 25Mbps/5Mbps broadband when the nbn satellites are launched Wednesday, September 30, at 2100 GMT and in orbit at the cost of $1.8 billion.

The Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s ninth mission of 2015 is now fully assembled, following the integration of its two telecommunications satellites at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

During activity in Ariane 5’s Final Assembly Building, the upper payload component, containing Australia’s Sky Muster spacecraft mounted on the SYLDA dispenser system, and protected by an ogive-shaped fairing,was lowered into position over the Argentinian ARSAT-2 relay platform, which was previously installed atop the launcher’s central core. 

This step clears the way for final checkout, which will enable the Launch Readiness Review to be conducted on September 28, followed by Ariane 5’s rollout to the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch zone the following day, and an evening liftoff on September 30.  

To be deployed first during the 32-minute mission is Sky Muster, which will be operated by nbn™,  a service provider owned by the Commonwealth of Australia. This company’s objective is to ensure all Australians have access to fast broadband as soon as possible, at affordable prices and at the least cost to taxpayers.

Sky Muster is the initial satellite to be orbited by Arianespace for nbn, and the spacecraft was built by SSL (Space Systems Loral).  With an estimated liftoff mass of 6,440 kg., the relay platform is designed to deliver broadband services from geostationary orbit to more than 200,000 rural and remote Australians, providing coverage across the entire country, including the Norfolk, Christmas, Macquarie and Cocos islands. A second nbn satellite will be launched on a future Arianespace mission.

More information regarding this launch

   
• Total nbn satellite program costs $1.8 billion

   
• Deployment costing nearly $8,000 per connected premise

   
• Two satellites will have combined capacity of 135Gbps

   
• 101 spot beams will cover the whole of Australia and its territories

   
• nbn satellite expected to have over 200,000 end-users

   
• World leading satellite broadband speeds of 25Mbps/5Mbps available

   
• Commercial retail services will launch in 2Q16

   
• Many remote communities connected to broadband for first time