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Space


Other ESA Communications Project

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).






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