The European launch provider Arianespace has been awarded a two launch order contract for two NBN communications satellites by the Australian satellite operator NBN (National Broadband Network). The satellites, NBN 1A and NBN 1B are desiigned to offer broadband Internet services to remote outback regions of Australia. They will be launched on two separate Ariane 5 launches in early and late in 2015 from the Ariane 5 launch site in French Guiana. Weighing in at 6,000kg each, the two satelites are being built by Space Systems/Loral in Palo Alto, California. Their design life is 15 years each.
