Sentinel-2A’s laser terminal

As with Sentinel-1A, the Sentinel-2A satellite carries a laser terminal, or ‘optical communications payload’, to transmit data to satellites in geostationary orbit carrying the European Data Relay System, EDRS. These satellites then transmit the Sentinel-2 data to the ground. Complementing the Sentinel ground-station network, EDRS ensures the timely availability of large volumes of data. The video shows the terminal being tested at IABG in Germany.