Satellite delivery of continuous presence videoconferencing

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