MICHAEL PECK
Nov. 11, 2014
Europe's "space data highway" has passed several tests in preparation for a launch next year.
The European Data Relay System (EDRS) will consist of two geostationary nodes collecting data from low-orbiting satellites via laser and radio, according to the European Space Agency (ESA), which is partnering with Airbus Defense and Space.
Testing of EDRS took place over the summer, when the Eutelsat-9B satellite passed vacuum and vibration checks, according to a European Space Agency announcement. EDRS-A, the first phase of the project, will consist of three hosted packages on Eutelsat-9B, including a laser terminal capable of receiving 1.8 Gbit/s of data from a satellite up to 45,000 kilometers away, as well as a 300 Mbit/s radio terminal.
Italy's ASI space agency will also contribute payloads to the project, as will Germany's TESAT Spacecom.
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