SILEX overview after flight terminals campaign

The ESA programme dedicated to Optical Communications development (called : SILEX for Semi Conductor Intersatellite Link Experiment) has allowed to qualify two terminals in 1994 and 1995 (one to be mounted on SPOTIV, Earth observation low orbit satellite, one to be mounted on ARTEMIS, ESA technology geostationnary telecom satellite). In 1995/96, the respective proto flight models have been integrated and tested, leading to in depth knowledge of the behaviour of optical terminals in optomechanical, pointing and telecommunications fields for various environmental conditions (microvibrations, ambient/vacuum, vibrations, EMC...). The paper describes the programme and the associated major tests results at terminal level or in coupled configuration on SPOTIV spacecraft. Considerations for future application are given in order to identify SILEX feedback on MMS optical terminal product line for commercial market.