images

Communication satellite Artemis. Artwork.

by

ESA/J.Huart/Novapix

Reference

e-sco01-10200

Date

2006-11-20

One of Artemis' payloads for communication directly between satellites is a laser-optical relay terminal called SILEX. It already achieved a world premiere in November 2001 transmitting a picture taken by SPOT4.Carrying three payloads plus a number of experiments, Artemis (Advanced Relay and Technology Mission Satellite) is being developed for testing and operating new telecommunications techniques. The L-band mobile payload allows two-way voice and data communications, via satellite, between fixed Earth stations and land mobiles - trucks, trains or cars - anywhere in Europe and North Africa. Artemis was launched in July 2001 on an Ariane 5 launcher.