Update on ATV-5 live connection test from Bremen

Quick update on today’s continuing SVT test from Astrium’s Holger Scheuler in Bremen.

We activated ATV-5 as scheduled this morning and heard from ATV-CC that they received telemetry signals at 08:15 CEST via ESA’s Artemis relay satellite.

The main SVT1 test started with the first time slot for NASA’s TDRS (tracking and data relay satellite) at 08:02 CEST. Please find also attached a screenshot of our synoptic here in Bremen. The received signal strength was higher than – 114dBm, which gives us a margin in the link budget of 20dB. The TDRS Transponders are locked at a signal level higher than -135dBm.

With the first Artemis slot starting at 08:48, telemetry as well as telecommanding was successful; also here we received a signal strength of – 115dBm.

The test is now ongoing.