For Artemis, this represents yet another cornerstone of the European data relay system mission after a number of achievements that include high availability data transfers from ENVISAT on a daily basis and bidirectional laser communications with satellites and airplanes.
Jules Verne ATV was launched from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana at 05:03 CET on 9 March. First contact between Artemis and the ATV was established at 06:46, exactly on schedule.
Artemis communicates with Jules Verne, receiving telemetry and sending telecommands whenever the two spacecraft are within sight of one another. During every ATV orbit, there is close to 40 minutes of continuous contact. Artemis will provide dedicated support to Jules Verne throughout the free-flying phase of its mission - up to the docking planned for 3 April - and in case of emergency. After docking, Artemis' data relay resource will be shared between ATV and ESA's Envisat Earth observation mission.
Artemis has performed almost five years of in orbit operations. It is in geostationary orbit over the Atlantic Ocean and has three main purposes:
- the provision of inter-orbit satellite communication using advanced S- and Ka-band radio links and laser technology
- performing a key role within Europe's EGNOS satellite navigation system by broadcasting enhanced GPS and GLONASS signals for use by civilian 'safety critical' transport and navigational services
- the provision of voice and data communications between mobile terminals in remote areas of Europe and North Africa, as well as in the Atlantic
Artemis is operated from ESA's facility at Redu, which houses the spacecraft's mission control centre and a Ka-band ground terminal with a 13.5-metre dish antenna. The task of communicating with Jules Verne is shared between Artemis and NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS).
The inter-orbit communications services provided by Artemis are precursors to a proposed future European satellite data relay system. For more information regarding Artemis, see the links located in the top right column of this page.
