European Data Relay System Takes Shape with New Contract

On October 3, representatives from the European Space Agency (ESA) and contractor Astrium met in Paris to signs a new public–private partnership (PPP) for the European Data Relay System (EDRS), which is currently scheduled to enter active service in 2014.

The purpose of the system is very simple – maximize the speed at which large amounts of data are transferred throughout Europe. In order to accomplish this objective, the space agency will launch a network of satellite to cover the entire continent.

This independent European satellite system will put ESA and the European Union ahead when it comes to data transfer capabilities. Putting it together is however a very complex task, and ESA demonstrated a tenant for pulling together resources and know-how from many partners into a single project.

In total, the new contract the agency signed with Astrium is worth about €275 million ($363 million). Under its terms, the company is responsible for the overall design and development of the space- and ground-based infrastructure to kick EDRS in gear.

After this stage of the project is completed, Astrium will acquire ownership and control of the entire constellation, and will operate it for ESA for the next 15 years. The company's main directive at this point is to make the satellite network fast, reliable and seamless.

When EDRS is activated, its capabilities will enable future ESA Earth observation satellites to remain in orbit for prolonged periods of time, transmitting increased scientific data return for each mission.

“The EDRS program is another prime example of a public–private partnership. EDRS is a big step forward in how low-orbit satellites and future unmanned aerial vehicles can be used, to the benefit of Europe's citizens and economy,” Magali Vaissiere explains.

She holds an appointment as the ESA Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications. The official was the ESA representative to sign the contract, alongside Astrium Services CEO, Eric Béranger.

“Initial users for EDRS will be the Sentinel-1 and -2 satellites of the GMES Global Monitoring for Environment and Security program, the EU's ambitious Earth observation program, headed by the European Commission in partnership with ESA and the European Environment Agency,” an ESA press release explains.

“The EDRS system will consist of two payloads carried by satellites in geostationary orbit. User data will be transmitted via dedicated terminals from satellites in lower orbits to either of the EDRS nodes and then relayed to the ground,” the document concludes.