Program: EDRS

European Data Relay System, SpaceDataHighway

ESA's program to enable broadband, bi-directional data relay between LEO satellites and ground at 1.8 Gbps.

Astrium has the overall responsibility for designing and developing the complete space and ground infrastructure. Astrium will then acquire ownership of EDRS and is committed to its operation for the next 15 years.

The first EDRS payload - a laser communication terminal and a Ka band inter-satellite link - is carried on the Eutelsat 9B satellite, built by Astrium.

The second - also with a laser terminal - was carried on Hylas 3

EDRS C was planned for 2016 but launched in 2019.

EDRS D was planned to be located over Asia in 2020.


In June 2016 carried out the first transmission with Sentinel 1A through Eutelsat 9B at 600 Mbps in fully automated mode. Serves the Columbus module on ISS from 2019.

Will connect to Pleiades Neo satellites in 2021.

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External resources

http://www.edrs-spacedatahighway.com/

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