[SatNews] Preparations continue to move ahead for Arianespace’s Ariane 5 Flight VA218, as the Optus 10 spacecraft has undergone its fit-check and fueling for a dual-passenger mission targeted for September 11th from French Guiana.

In preparation activity for Arianespace’s mission, Optus 10 is shown during its fit-check process inside the Spaceport's S1B clean room.

Photo courtesy of Arianespace.

Optus 10 will be the sixth satellite launched by Arianespace for Optus and is outfitted for direct TV broadcast, Internet connectivity, telephone and data transmission services across Australia and New Zealand. The satellite will be joined on Arianespace’s next mission by the MEASAT-3b relay platform, which is to expand DTH broadcasting and VSAT services across Malaysia, India, Indonesia and Australia for Malaysian-based MEASAT.
 
Designated Flight VA218 in the company’s numbering system, this upcoming launch is scheduled to be the fourth Ariane 5 flight from the Spaceport in French Guiana this year.
 
Follow Arianespace's launch activity at http://www.arianespace.com/