Abstract :
In the 1980s, Matra Marconi Space, Joanneum Research and the European Space Agency, recognised the value of using satellite communications in the growing field of video-teleconferencing. It was decided to develop and demonstrate equipment and techniques that could become a platform on which an eventual, operational European satellite videoconference network could be established. A project, called Direct Interestablishment Communications in Europe (DICE), was initiated on an experimental basis as part of the utilisation programme of ESA´s Olympus satellite. Under this programme Matra Marconi built and delivered the Olympus Ka-band payload and three transportable Ka-band earth stations to be compatible with the satellite. The subsequent product and service development led to the establishment of a high-quality videoconference service, using commercial satellite capacity based on European technology
