Life-saving data that enables European governments to respond rapidly to crises is flowing swiftly from space to Earth, thanks to the most sophisticated space-based laser communication network ever built.
The European Data-Relay System (EDRS) – which consists of two telecommunications satellites in geostationary orbit some 36 000 kilometres above Earth – has just forged its 75 000th link with Earth observation satellites in low Earth orbit, sending over 4.5 petabytes of crucial data to Europe within minutes.