EDRS-C satellite enters Antonov cargo plane

The second satellite in the European Data Relay System is loaded onto an Antonov cargo plane to be flown to its launch site in Kourou, French Guiana.

EDRS – dubbed the ‘SpaceDataHighway’ by its private operator Airbus – uses innovative laser technology to dramatically cut the time needed for Earth observation satellites to deliver information to the ground.

The system enables people to observe Earth almost live, accelerating responses to emergency situations and spurring the development of new services and products that create jobs and increase prosperity.