As the countdown begins for the launch of nbn’s second satellite, Sky Muster™ II, a nationwide call is underway to give Aussies a unique opportunity to take part in history by ‘blasting their face’ into space.

Recognising the opportunity the satellite brings to connecting Australians in remote parts of the country to services not easily accessed today such as remote education and medical assistance, this call also reflects the impact that universal broadband will have on the entire nation. Suddenly the tyranny of distance is replaced by our ability to connect with each  other regardless of location. Cities and rural outposts become close neighbours thanks to the accessibility provided by fast broadband, an absolute game-changer for the country.

Scheduled to launch from French Guiana Space Centre in South America in late 2016, the satellite will help deliver fast broadband to even the most remotely located Australians, helping to bridge the digital divide between city and bush.

To unite the nation behind this milestone, nbn is inviting all Australians, regardless of their location, to submit a photo of themselves and win the chance to etch their place in history. The photos will be stitched together to form a mosaic artwork, which will be printed on the nose cone of the rocket that will launch the satellite into space.

Julia Dickinson, nbn’s Satellite Architect said:

“Since launching the first nbn™ satellite in October 2015, we’ve provided access to fast broadband for around 400,000 homes and businesses located in regional, remote, outback and offshore Australia which are now able to order an nbn™ Sky Muster™ satellite service. The launch of our second satellite is another major step in helping us to deliver world-class broadband to those who need it the most.

“Last year seven-year-old Bailey Brooks from a cattle station outside of Alice Springs won the opportunity to name the first nbn™ satellite and have her drawing printed on the nose cone of the rocket which launched it into space. This year, we are going one step further with the unique opportunity for people to submit photos which will be collated into a national portrait of our country. We are making history and we want to invite all Australians to be a part of it.”

For entry details on the competition please visit https://www.blastyourfaceintospace.com.au/

Visit our nbn™ blog series to learn more about the nbn™ Sky Muster™ service and how it is bridging the digital divide. 
 

Media enquiries

Dan Chamberlain

Phone: 0400 569 951

Email: danchamberlain@nbnco.com.au 

nbn™ Media Hotline

Phone: 02 9927 4200

Email: media@nbnco.com.au 
 

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Notes to editors

• nbn is building a new, fast wholesale broadband network to enable communities across Australia to access fast broadband. Our goal is to connect eight million homes and businesses by 2020.
• Fast broadband like that delivered via the nbn™ network can provide a range of benefits for Australians such as opportunities to work from home, access to online education tools and options for on-demand entertainment.
• The nbn™ Sky Muster™ satellite service is designed to deliver wholesale broadband speeds of up to 25 Mbps download and up to 5 Mbps upload to retail service providers. Your experience including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ network depends on the technology over which services are delivered to your premises and some factors outside our control like your equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how your service provider designs its network.
• There are currently more than 37,000 users on nbn™’s interim satellite service across Australia. nbn is aiming to migrate interim satellite users onto the new satellite within one year of the commercial launch (May 2017), while at the same time migrating new users onto the service.

About ‘Blast Your Face Into Space’:

• The opportunity is open to Australian residents. Only one entry per person will be permitted.
• Entries open 09/05/16 at 7:00 AM and close 22/05/16 at 11:59 PM. Photos will be determined on 24/05/16 from 11:00 AM and notified via email.
• Entries will be submitted on the website https://www.blastyourfaceintospace.com.au/  and entrants will follow the instructions to submit an entry including a photo upload of their face that is 10mb or less.
• The photos will be the best valid entries as assessed by judges from an external agency on the basis of creativity and suitability.
• The opportunity on offer is for up to 1,210 people to have their picture included within an artwork that will go on an nbn™ rocket. This rocket will launch into space carrying the nbn™ satellite, Sky Muster™ II.

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