Animation: Fast data transfer - Laser communication for Europe’s space data highway

Animation: Fast data transfer - Laser communication for Europe’s space data highway
The European Data Relay Satellite System (EDRS) is the first commercial application of optical satellite communications in space. If this data highway in space is completely extended, the system will contain four optical communication satellites in 36,000 kilometers above our Earth. So called Laser Communication Terminals (LCT) are the centerpiece of EDRS. LCT links Low Earth Orbit satellites to their geostationary relay partners and enables fast and secure transfer of large quantities of data in near real-time transmission to end users. Avoiding each traffic jam, LCT send important information like satellite images, weather or climate data directly on the fast lane. This kind of technology was financed by the DLR Space Administration with funds from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and developed by German industry.
Credit:

DLR

Duration:00:04:06