Abstract
The EURECA mission provided the opportunity to demonstrate the first ever inter-orbit link at Ka-Band frequencies and to experiment with the concept of direct data exchange between a Low Earth Orbiting spacecraft (EURECA) and an earth terminal via a Geostationary Orbit satellite (OLYMPUS). This concept is the basis of the ESA Data Relay System currently under development which will offer users the possibility of extended ground contact to anywhere within Europe. The paper outlines the IOC programme and payload design, and the essential features of the facilities used to operate and control the experiment which, for the first time, allowed data transfer directly to a ground based user of a Low Earth Orbiting Spacecraft. Similar facilities will be needed to operate and control a data link via the ESA Data Relay System.
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