The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) and UK-based HOT Telecommunications have set up an International Monitoring System (IMS) of over 320 stations in the world, under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
Optus has agreed to keep watch over the Pacific Ocean region, monitoring areas surrounding Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Antartica for nuclear explosions.
The contract will extend over seven years.
Each of the 320 monitoring stations spread across the globe will generate data from sensors designed to detect major events on the earth's surface. These sensors will also be able to detect earthquakes or any natural event taking place underground, under the sea or in the air.
Optus will man over 60 sites in the region, extending as far as Attu Island, Alaska, the Galapogos Islands and Indonesia.
-Optus's expertise in this specialised area of satellite technology would be essential in providing a network that met stringent requirements for reliability and availability," HOT project director for the CTBTO Alan English said.
