Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has announced that it has been awarded a contract to manufacture a spacecraft for Australian telecommunications service provider, SingTel Optus.

The satellite, Optus 10, will be used to augment the existing fleet of SingTel Optus satellites and to assure the highest level of ongoing service into the future.

"Satellite continues to make sense for Australia," said SingTel Optus Wholesale and Satellite Managing Director, Vicki Brady.

"We are pleased to work with SS/L to deliver Optus 10, enabling us to provide support and service to our customers across Australia and New Zealand. As the only Australian full service telecommunications provider to own and operate satellites, Optus 10 expands SingTel Optus' fleet to be the largest in Australia's history."

Optus 10 is planned to be launched in 2013. With 24 Ku-band transponders, the satellite demonstrates the flexibility of the 1300 satellite platform to accommodate missions requiring smaller satellite payloads.

This highly reliable and proven platform is designed to provide service for 15 years or longer.

Optus 10 will be the tenth satellite in the SingTel Optus fleet to be launched for Australia and the second built by SS/L.

In 2003, SS/L provided the bus for Optus C1 satellite, which also carries a hosted payload for the Australian Defence Forces.

"As leaders in our industries, both SingTel Optus and Space Systems/Loral share a commitment to quality and innovation," said John Celli, president of Space Systems/Loral.

"We look forward to providing a spacecraft that will augment the SingTel Optus fleet for many years to come."