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Tags: European Space Agency, Astrium, Eutelsat, Avanti, Payload
Publication: GlobalTimes.cn
Publication Date: 11/25/2012

Artist impression of European Data Relay Satellite (EDRS) system.
Image credit: ESA

The European Space Agency announced completion of the first commercially-operated data relay satellite system. This will accelerate the start of service for the European Union’s Global Monitoring for Environment and Security.

Astrium, the German Aerospace Center and the ESA approved the system, which will provide a reliable telecomm network for the scientific community to access real-time information from satellites.

ESA and Astrium Services are partners in building the system using payloads from two satellites in GEO. Eutelsat’s EB9B satellite will carry the first of these payloads and it is expected to start operations in 2014. The second payload will go on Avanti Communications’ Hylas-3, scheduled for a 2016 launch.

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