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The initial verification results of the in-orbit free-space laser communication functions equipped on the Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite (OICETS) are presented. The operation system for OICETS is introduced with some characteristics on the radio-frequency communication links which connects OICETS to the ground facilities and satellites. The verification procedures of optical functions are carried out with a scenario that begins with measurements of optical devices' responses and moves to confirmations of automatic sequences in acquisition and tracking stars. Finally, all the OICETS functions required for the in-orbit laser communications with ARTEMIS are found to be in good conditions. We describe here the story of the initial verifications with typical examples measured by these tests.

We present the results of the on-orbit free-space laser communications between the Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite (OICETS) and the Advanced Relay and Technology Mission (ARTEMIS) geostationary satellite. We first introduce the history of developing OICETS and add some descriptions on characteristics of OICETS, where the performance of the optical communication terminal named the Laser Utilizing Communications Equipment (LUCE) is also stated. We summarize the on-orbit investigation results of LUCE's function and finally make a report on the inter-orbit laser communication experiment carried out by ARTEMIS and OICETS.