Optus announced today it had re-signed a multi- million dollar agreement with PanAmSat to operateits PAS 4 satellite for another ten years.

Under the agreement Optus will manage PanAmSat's PAS 4 by undertaking orbit determination, manoeuvre planning and execution to ensure the spacecraft remains 'on station' at its orbit location over the equator. Optus will also monitor all PAS 4 technical systems including fuel, batteries, propulsion and communications payload.

Tobias Nassif, Vice President Space Operations for PanAmSat said: "PanAmSat is taking an economical outsourcing approach by retaining Optus for PAS 4 operation because the satellite is located over Australia.

"Optus has been providing PanAmSat with high quality, reliable orbit operational services for the PAS 4 spacecraft since its launch in 1995," he said.

Warren Hardy, Managing Director of Optus Wholesale and Satellite, said a limited number of international companies had the capacity to provide these types of services.

"Optus has once again demonstrated its solid technical capabilities to undertake outsourcing of very complex satellite operational services, which only a few communications companies in the world can provide," he said.

Optus uses its Perth Earth Station in Lockridge to communicate with the satellite, roughly located over Australia. Optus will continue to fly the PAS 4 satellite until it reaches the end of its useful life when Optus will implement the satellite's de-orbit procedure.

PanAmSat's PAS 4 satellite is a Boeing BS601, three axis, body stabilised satellite model. It was launched from the Korou Space Centre in French Guiana in August 1995, and currently orbits Earth at approximately 11,000 kph.

The PAS 4 footprint extends over approximately 60 per cent of Earth's landmass containing 80 percent of the world population. It is used for broadcast networks serving Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Media contact:
Sarah Turner
Optus Corporate Affairs
Phone: +61 2 9342 8432