Optus is the leading operator of Satellites in the Asia Pacific region and the only Satellite operator in Australia. In early 2006, Optus will launch the D1 Satellite, which will nearly double the capacity of the current Optus Satellite series.
Optus launched Space Ace, an online science quiz for both primary and secondary school students nationally in April this year. Over 5310 students entered the competition. The program was designed to motivate and inspire students towards a career in science, space and technology and is aligned with the launch of Optus' D1 Satellite next year.
The online quiz ran from mid-May to mid-June with eight state and territory finalists drawn across Primary and Secondary schools. The eight finalists travelled to Optus in Sydney on the weekend (27/28 August) to compete in a real time head-to-head challenge, hosted by Dr Karl.
The overall winners will take their teacher and a parent/guardian to see the launch of the D1 Satellite from French Guiana, South America (via Paris) in early 2006. All runners-up won a $2000 Sony Multimedia pack for their school.
You can access the details of the Space Ace quiz from the Space Ace Website. This includes Fact Sheets on science, the latest news on the D1 Satellite build as well as the “Gravity Challenge” computer game.
Winners:
| Primary - Jasmine Meagher from Soldiers Point Public School, NSW Secondary - Matthew Tucker from Taroona High School, TAS Finalists: | |
| Primary
|  Primary School finalists of the Optus Space Ace Quiz Click image to view larger size. |
| Secondary Daniel Ho - Leeming Senior High School, WA Tahnee Holdsworth - Rochester Secondary College, VIC Matthew Tucker - Taroona High School, TAS Hayden Denton - Wudinna Area School, SA Annabel Leck - Holy Spirit School, QLD Abigail Too - Smiths Hill High School, NSW Sandra Wu - Canley Vale High School, NSW Ian Thai - Lyneham High School, ACT | |