PADAriane Launch Area 3
SITEGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana →ORBITGeostationary Transfer Orbit
TYPECommunications
MISSION OVERVIEW
NBN-Co 1B, nicknamed Sky Muster II, is a high-throughput communications satellite tasked with providing high-speed broadband service to rural and remote areas of Australia. Launched along with it is the Indian geostationary communications satellite GSAT-18.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Ariane 5 ECAAGENCY
ArianespaceMISSION
Sky Muster II (NBN-Co 1B) & GSAT-18
MISSION TYPE
Communications
TARGET ORBIT
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Ariane Launch Area 3LAUNCH SITE
Guiana Space Centre, French GuianaCOUNTRY
FRA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: b5b942a8-a14e-458d-98e9-19a97ea93dbc
Reported date: Oct 5, 2016 at 20:30 UTC
Last synced: 8 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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PAYLOAD →
GSAT
Communications
ISROOPERATOR
GEOORBIT
7TOTAL LAUNCHES
VEHICLE — Ariane 5 ECA →
MANUFACTURER
ArianeGroup
VARIANT
ECA
FLIGHTS
73
SUCCESSES
71
SUCCESS RATE
97.3%
Ariane 5 is a heavy-lift launch vehicle, part of the Ariane rocket family.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Ariane 5 ECA | Sky Muster II (NBN-Co 1B) & GSAT-18 launch?
The Ariane 5 ECA | Sky Muster II (NBN-Co 1B) & GSAT-18 is scheduled for Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at 8:30 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Sky Muster II (NBN-Co 1B) & GSAT-18?
The Ariane 5 ECA | Sky Muster II (NBN-Co 1B) & GSAT-18 mission uses the Ariane 5 ECA rocket, manufactured by ArianeGroup. The Ariane 5 ECA has flown 73 times with a 97.3% success rate.
Where is the Ariane 5 ECA | Sky Muster II (NBN-Co 1B) & GSAT-18 launching from?
The launch takes place from Ariane Launch Area 3 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
What orbit is Sky Muster II (NBN-Co 1B) & GSAT-18 going to?
The Sky Muster II (NBN-Co 1B) & GSAT-18 mission is targeting Geostationary Transfer Orbit.
Who is launching Sky Muster II (NBN-Co 1B) & GSAT-18?
The Ariane 5 ECA | Sky Muster II (NBN-Co 1B) & GSAT-18 is operated by Arianespace.
Can I watch the Ariane 5 ECA | Sky Muster II (NBN-Co 1B) & GSAT-18 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 28, 2026 20:33 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 20:33 UTC
Launch date set: Oct 5, 2016 at 20:30 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Arianespace
Mar 28, 2026 20:33 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 8 minutes ago
●Launch Library 210 minutes ago
Launch ID: b5b942a8-a14e-458d-98e9-19a97ea93dbc
●Open-Meteo Weather1 day ago
Pad weather at 5.24, -52.77
Mission Profile
Sky Muster II (NBN-Co 1B) & GSAT-18 was a Ariane 5 ECA mission operated by Arianespace that lifted off from Ariane Launch Area 3, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on October 5, 2016. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Geostationary Transfer Orbit. The launch was a success.