Last week, the last of the optical windows were installed and the DC-8 aircraft was taken to the tarmac for communication tests. Experts from NASA Ames and the SETI Institute called the ATV Control Centre, Toulouse, France, who then called back to confirm links worked both ways. In tests coordinated by ESA’s Laurent Arzel, it was confirmed that the aircraft can communicate over the INMARSAT and Iridium satelite networks by voice and internet. Details via the ATV5 Reentry Campaign website.

Updating windows and verifying communications with ATV Control Centre Toulouse for the ATV-5 reentry observation campaign Credit: NASA/SETI

Updating windows and verifying communications with ATV Control Centre Toulouse for the ATV-5 reentry observation campaign Credit: NASA/SETI