European data relay system goes global

The European Data Relay System (EDRS) has started its operational phase in November 2016, proving a commercial service to the European Commission's earth observation flagship programme Copernicus/Sentinels and, at a later stage, to the Columbus/ISS. While more and more LEOs are equipped with TESAT's Laser Communication Terminals (Germany) and eventually added to the EDRS service provision, the GEO fleet is expanding as well. EDRS-A, the first EDRS geostationary node over Europe (9° East), is in routine operations, and EDRS-C is under completion and foreseen as redundant system at 31° East. In the meantime the Public-Private-Partnership between ESA and Airbus Defense and Space (Germany) is planning the globalization of EDRS by adding a geostationary payload, called EDRS-D, over the Asia-Pacific region. The extension of the system will provide increased capabilities using multiple Laser Communication Terminals (TESAT) featuring faster acquisition, higher data rates and dual wavelength options (1064nm and 1550nm) to serve more commercial customers at the same time. The evolution of the service will also aim for security sensitive missions, like RPAS. The Laser Communication Technology on-board EDRS-D will be the starting point for the world's first global laser based network in space, providing Global Quasi-Real-Time-Services back to Europe by connecting its EDRS GEOs over 75.000km distance by the means of optical communication. The paper will provide details of the project and information about the latest status.