Other ESA Communications Projects
ESA is also looking at a variety of other satellite communications projects. Under the ESA Payload and Spacecraft Demonstration and Experimentation Program (PSDE), development of a European Mobile Services (EMS) system is underway for a test flight as an auxiliary payload of ITALSAT F2, now scheduled for launch in 1995. The Advanced Orbital Test Satellite System (AOTS) may introduce ESA's first communications satellite in a highly elliptical, inclined orbit. Named Archimedes, the new system would be designed primarily for portable receivers at high latitudes. First launch of up to six spacecraft could begin by the end of the decade (References 3, 12, 13, 30-32).
ESA is also promoting satellite communications technology under the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) program, which had grown to 12 elements by the end of 1994. These elements include the On Board Processing mission, the Multi-Orbit Small Satellite program, and the Little LEO Messaging System. The last could witness the launch of a first payload as early as 1996. In addition, ESA is a proponent of general satellite communications research (References 3, 12, 13, 28, 33-35).
REFERENCES
3. "ESA and Telecommunications", All About the European Space Agency, ESA, August 1992.
4. European Space - On Course for the 21st Century, ESA, BR-39, 1987.
5. "The Telecommunications Programme", ESA f-05, March 1989.
6. D. Smith, "Olympus, A Giant Amongst Satellites", Spaceflight, November 1989, p. 386-387.
7. Europe in Space, ESA, January 1983.
8. ESA Annual Report 1991, ESA, 1992.
9. A. Lawler, "Olympus Spins Out of Control The Night of Meteor Showers, Space News, 23-29 August 1993, p.11.
10. "ESA Kills Olympus", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 30 August 1993, p. 22.
11. "Olympus Mission Ends", Spaceflight, November 1993, p. 389.
12. ESA Annual Report 1993, ESA, 1994.
13. ESA Annual Report 1994, ESA, 1995.
14. "Alenia Nets Artemis Work in Milestone ESA Contract", Space News, 11 -17 October 1993, p. 13.
15. "Lasers in Space", Spaceflight, January 1994, p. 35.
16. "Optical Inter-Orbit Communications", Spaceflight, April 1995, pp.116-117.
17. "Laser Ground Station", Spaceflight, June 1994, p. 183.
18. P.B. de Selding, "Artemis Schedule Slip May Be Costly", Space News, 3-9 January 1994, pp. 1, 20.
19. P.B. de Selding, Massive Overrun Looms for Artemis", Space News, 12-18 June 1995, pp. 3, 37.
20. "BAe on ARTEMIS", Space, December 1992 - February 1993, p. 5.
21. P.B. de Selding, "Britain May Abandon Artemis", Space News, 19-25 June 1995, p. 8.
22. B.I. Edelson, et al, NASA/NSF Panel Report on Satellite Communications Systems and Technology, Vol. l, Analytical Chapters, July 1993, pp. 218-241.
23. B.I. Edelson, op. cit., pp. 241-250.
24. R. Riccitiello, "ESA Works to Improve Telecommunications", Space News, 27 April-3 May 1992, p. 6, 8.
25. "Future ESA Space Plan Agreed", Spaceflight, December 1992, p. 376.
26. R. Riccitiello, "MESA Goes Ahead With Data Relay Satellite Plans", Space News, 12-18 October 1992, p.1, 28.
27. C. Covault, "Europe Sets $26-Billion Space Program for 1990's", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 16 November 1992, p. 23-25.
28. "Newsmaker Forum", Space News, 22-28 February 1993, p. 22.
29. "Europe Seeks Military Funds for DRS System", Space News, 27 March - 2 April 1995, p. 2.
30. B.l. Edelson, op. cit., pp. 252-258.
31. R. Riccitiello, "ESA Archimedes Project to Use Elliptical Orbits", Space News, 18-24 May 1992, p. 10.
32. R. Riccitiello, "Alenia Wins ESA Contract for Communications System", Space News, 5-11 October 1992 p.10.
33. D.J. Marcus and R. Riccitiello, "ESA To Fund Satellite Telephone Technology", Space News, 1-7 February 1993, pp. 4, 21.
34. P.B. de Selding, "Report Urges Europe To Focus on Satellite Communications", Space News, 17-23 January 1994, p. 3.
35. P.B. de Selding, "UESA Communications Funding Frustrates Firms", Space News, 11 -17 April 1994, pp. 12-13.
Sources and Resources
http://www.fas.org/spp/guide/europe/comm/other.htm
Implemented by Christina Lindborg, 1997 Scoville Fellow
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Tuesday, July 1, 1997