![Satellite 21.5 east](https://kumkoniak.com/31.jpg)
Export-Import Bank and the French export-credit agency, Coface, entered service in October 2012 at 31 degrees east. of Dulles, Va., and financed in part by a loan from the U.S. Hylas-1 entered service at 33.5 degrees east in April 2011.Īvanti’s Hylas-2, built by Orbital Sciences Corp. Avanti’s first satellite, Hylas-1, was partly financed by ESA as part of the agency’s work, with prime contractor Astrium Satellites, on flexible payloads. The navigation mission, performed by ESA for the European Union’s executive commission, has been succeeded by the commission’s more recent contracts to base GPS overlay services aboard two commercial satellites operated by SES of Luxembourg.Īvanti and ESA have well-developed relations. GPS constellation in medium Earth orbit, and to validate GPS signals.
![satellite 21.5 east satellite 21.5 east](https://cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/PARM2L46P5NMDGJIX4N4AOFWJY.jpg)
It demonstrated inter-satellite communications, with Artemis receiving data from an Earth observation satellite as well as laser links between aircraft and a satellite in geostationary orbit.Īrtemis also carries an L-band communications terminal to provide positioning, navigation and timing data to back up the U.S. ESA’s statement said there are no other missions for which the agency needs Artemis.Īrtemis’ principal role at ESA was as a technology demonstrator, especially of data-relay services using laser optical links. Under the terms of the contract, ESA will be granted rights to use Artemis to help track the scheduled mid-2014 launch of ESA’s fifth and final Automated Transfer Vehicle unmanned cargo carrier to the international space station. In the past Avanti has used the resources of fellow London fleet operator Inmarsat. Once the transaction has closed, ESA will transfer satellite operations to Avanti or to an operator hired by Avanti. The agency, headquartered in Paris, will be transferring regulatory rights and responsibilities for Artemis, and the orbital slot, to British frequency regulators.
![satellite 21.5 east satellite 21.5 east](http://services.imagico.de/views/globe_easia_large.jpg)
ESA said the deal should close by the end of the year. 14 that approved the satellite’s sale, ESA is negotiating the final terms of the transaction with Avanti. The agency has estimated that Artemis, launched in 2001, has three years of service life left in it, and its ESA mission has been completed.Īvanti did not respond to requests for comment on its plans for Artemis beyond saying that the satellite “occupies an orbital position at 21.5 degrees east and gives the company access to new opportunities.”įollowing a decision of its ruling council the week of Oct.
![satellite 21.5 east satellite 21.5 east](https://www.friendsofcrc.ca/Projects/ANIK/anik-e.gif)
In a written response to SpaceNews inquiries, ESA did not dispute Avanti’s suggestion that the sale price would be modest, if not symbolic. In late 2012, the 20-nation agency had said it would be moving Artemis into a retirement orbit and decommissioning the satellite in 2014.
![Satellite 21.5 east](https://kumkoniak.com/31.jpg)