images

The European Data Relay Satellite System – EDRS

by

ESA/P.Carril/Novapix

Reference

e-sco01-21000

Date

2009-05-13

Artist impression of European Data Relay Satellite (EDRS) system.
EDRS is a network of satellites that will use geostationary satellites to communicate with both ground stations and other satellites – whose lower orbits restrict the time that they can ‘see’ any one ground station. Allowing low-Earth orbit satellites to deliver data continuously, instead of storing it on board for transmission while overflying a ground station, will increase the timeliness with which we receive data improving global communications, navigation and Earth observation.