ISS/ATV communication system flight on Soyuz

ISS/ATV communication system flight on Soyuz
February 28th, 2005


The ATV approaches the station and docks, slowly and safely


Baikonur, 28 February 2005 - An essential communications system to enable
successful docking of Europe's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) and the
International Space Station (ISS) will today be launched on board the
'Progress' cargo delivery vehicle by Soyuz flight 352. The PCE (Proximity
Communication Equipment) was developed and integrated in Toulouse by EADS
Astrium, as part of the European Space Agency's ATV programme, for which
EADS SPACE Transportation is prime contractor.

The PCE will enable proximity communications for the last 30km of flight of
the future European ATV cargo vehicle on its approach to the ISS. This
system will be the first component element of the ATV system to be placed in
orbit. Tests are scheduled for early April 2005, and the success of these
tests will pave the way for the "Jules Verne" ATV launch.

The PCE is an integrated sub-assembly providing two, fully redundant
S-band communication chains. It comprises two spread spectrum transponders
and two CCSDS protocol management modules plus associated microwave
equipment. Installed in the Zvezda module on the ISS, the PCE system will be
operated during the "proximity" phase corresponding to the last 30km of the
ATV's flight, and the delicate docking operation with the ISS. This
automatic in-orbit rendezvous will be a European first.

The command and control data transmitted by the PCE as part of its
communications mission, will include GPS positioning data required for
relative navigation of the ATV towards the ISS. At a distance of 500m from
the station up to actual docking, ATV navigation will be controlled by laser
instruments, initially a telegoniometer, followed by a videometer for the
final phases. Electrical tests on the PCE, which were performed by a
combined ESA, Industry and Russian team, were completed successfully at the
Russian base of Baikonur in Kazakhstan, in early February 2005. The complete
PCE assembly will be checked out on the space station in early April 2005.


The ATV is the most challenging and complex space vehicle ever to be
developed and built in Europe. Currently, the prototype ATV Jules Verne is
at the ESTEC facility in Norwijk, Holland, undergoing further integration
and testing under the responsibility of EADS SPACE Transportation. The
compatability testing programme includes electromagnetic environment,
accoustic, thermal, and vacuum tests as well as mechanical testing. At the
beginning of 2005, the cargo carrier was inspected by astronauts. The ATV
Jules Verne is due to be shipped to Kourou in French Guiana in November this
year where it will undergo final testing (including fuelling) ahead of
integration with the Ariane 5 rocket prior to launch.


EADS SPACE


EADS SPACE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS, which is dedicated to
providing civil and military space systems. Its activities are managed by
three main companies: EADS SPACE Transportation for launcher systems and
orbital infrastructure, EADS Astrium for satellites and ground stations and
EADS SPACE Services for satellite-based services. In 2003, EADS SPACE had a
turnover of more than ?2.4 billion and about 12,000 employees in France,
Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2003,
EADS generated revenues of ?30.1 billion and employed a workforce of more
than 100,000.




Contacts:
Rémi ROLAND
EADS SPACE (FR)Tel: +33 (0) 1 42 24 27 34

Dr. Christian W Erles
EADS SPACE (FR)Tel: +33 (0) 1 39 06 32 53

Kirsten Leung
EADS SPACE Transportation (GER)Tel: +49 (0) 4 21 5 39 53 26

Dr. Mathias Spude
EADS SPACE Transportation (GER)Tel: +49-421-539-5710


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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info