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The LLMS (Little LEO messaging service) is a ‘Little-Leo’ store-and-forward messaging system that will offer a world-wide electronic mail and data service using advanced communications technology (spread-spectrum). The LLMS project is supported by the European Space Agency and includes several partners Europe-wide. SAIT (Belgium) leads the Industrial Consortium for the development of LLMS-IRIS and is responsible for overall system design, Ground Segment, User Terminals, design of the core of the Communication Payload. For the first spacecraft, an Attached Payload to a Russian satellite, SAIT benefits from the collaboration of several partners (OHB System of Germany; Alcatel Bell of Belgium; SEMA Group SAE of Spain; IMEC of Belgium)

IRIS (Intercontinental Retrieval of Information via Satellite) is the associated commercial service.

Start of operations is scheduled for the 3^rd quarter of 1998, preceded by a pre-operational phase during 2^nd quarter of 1998. Organisations with headquarters in regions well served by landline networks, but operations in areas with little conventional means of communicating represent the main market for IRIS. In particular the service is oriented to person-to-person messaging and transfer of non-time-critical data up to few tens of kilobytes per message.

The number of satellites in the constellation will be dictated by customer demand, with the intended orbit of 835km inclined at 98.7 (SS) for the initial trials. The second generation orbit is yet to be decided in the 800-1000km range. Satellites will weigh approximately 67.5kg, with the aim for the second generation being 50kg.

The first satellite is slated for launch from Baikonuor (Kazachstan) on a Zenit launcher as Attached Payload to the Russian satellite RESOURS 01-N4 in April 1998. The ground Segment in being completed, including a satellite access ground station installed at Spitzbergen. The user Terminal development is completed, and iIndustrialisation is ongoing. The first production batch available in April 98.

The development of an independent Free-Flyer satellite is initiated, with a planned launch date of mid-2000. Start of the pre-operational trials are to start with early clients in May '98, with start of a commercial service in August-September 1998.

[IRIS and  LLMS at SAIT, Belgium]