EDRS-A undergoing thermal vacuum testing. Photo: ESA

[Via Satellite 01-27-2015] The European Space Agency (ESA) has confirmed its intention to see the European Data Relay System (EDRS) through to completion. The decision followed meetings between the agency, the European Commission and Airbus. On Jan. 28, ESA and Airbus — the two primary partners for EDRS — will meet again to determine the path forward.

EDRS is a new satellite system designed to send large volumes of data very quickly, primarily for Earth-observation missions. The Eutelsat EB9B satellite, under construction by Airbus Defense and Space, will carry the first payload, EDRS-A, with operations beginning in 2015. The second payload will fly on the EDRS-C satellite along with Avanti Communication’s Hylas 3 payload. OHB AG of Bremen, Germany is building the satellite.