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Date Announced: 04 Feb 2016
The “first section” of the SpaceDataHighway has been built. On 29 January 2016 at 23:20 CET the payload EDRS-A on board the communications satellite Eutelsat 9B was launched into outer space by a Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The satellite already reached its position in the geostationary Earth Orbit. It will be located at 9° East (above Europe).
EDRS-A is the first element of the European Data Relay System (EDRS). This system will ensure that low-orbiting satellites will be able to send their information down to Earth in near-real time. EDRS-A is equipped with a laser communication terminal (LCT) that was developed and manufactured by Tesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co. KG based in Backnang near Stuttgart. This laser communication terminal contains several optical components and systems manufactured by the Berliner Glas Group.
Optical communication allows enormously increasing amounts of data to be made available in a faster, more reliable way to customers for further use on Earth. In order to exploit the advantages of data transmission with laser light, very sophisticated technologies have been developed and qualified for use in space.
Copernicus, the European Programme for monitoring the Earth, will be the first user of the SpaceDataHighway. Copernicus’ satellites Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-2A that already are located in low Earth Orbit, are also equipped with laser communication terminals. Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-2A will soon transmit their data to EDRS-A via laser. EDRS-A then will send the information directly to Earth. The optical components and systems manufactured by the Berliner Glas Group are important elements of the laser communication terminals.
The European Data Relay System will enable round-the-clock exchange of large volumes of data between satellites. This for instance will significantly improve Earth observation performance as well as reduce emergency response times.
EDRS-C, the second geostationary satellite of the European Data Relay System, will be launched into orbit on board an Ariane 5 rocket. With EDRSC the second section of the SpaceDataHighway will be built. Its orbital position will be 31° East. Further information is available from the ESA website http://www.edrsspacedatahighway.com
About Berliner Glas:
The BERLINER GLAS GROUP www.berlinerglasgroup.com is one of the world’s leading providers of optical key components, assemblies and systems as well as high-quality refined technical glass. With more than 1,100 employees, BERLINER GLAS develops, produces and integrates optics, mechanics and electronics into innovative system solutions for its customers. As OEM partners from concept to volume production, the BERLINER GLAS GROUP companies serve innovative customers in various market segments – laser and space technology, semiconductor industry, medical technology, metrology and the display industry.
E-mail: info@berlinerglas.de
Web Site: www.berlinerglasgroup.com
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