Optus ordered the Optus D3 satellite, identical as the Optus D2, with USA manufacturer Orbital Sciences, Corp. (Orbital ATK – Northrop Grumman), and is also based on Orbital’s Star-2 platform.

Optus D3 satellite was successfully launched on August 21st, 2009 on an Ariane 5 rocket operated by Arianespace in a dual launch with JCSAT-12 for SKY Perfect JSAT satellite operator from Japan. The D3 is Optus’s 9th successful satellite launch since 1985.

Optus D3 operates over Australia in the BSS-band and is co-located with the Optus C1 satellite to provide enhanced capability for the Australia’s prime orbital location delivering direct-to-home services across Australia. Optus D3 also provides FSS-band back up capacity to New Zealand. Optus D3 provides capacity for growth to meet business demands and increases the resilience of our satellite network for mission critical applications.

On February 2, 2014 Network Operator NBN, Co. of Australia chose Optus for a five-year contract to operate their two purpose-built satellites, Sky Muster I and II, to deliver high speed broadband across rural and remote Australia.