The European Data Relay Satellite (EDRS) system, which is being developed under ESA's Advanced Research in Telecommunications programme, ARTES 7, will be an independent, European satellite system designed to reduce time delays in the transmission of large quantities of data.

To add to Europe’s independence, the EDRS system will provide a telecommunications network that is fast, reliable and seamless. It will make on-demand data available at the right place at the right time, and will ultimately save lives in search and rescue operations.

Data relay satellites are satellites placed in geostationary orbit to relay information to and from non-geostationary satellites, spacecraft, other vehicles and fixed Earth stations, which otherwise are not able to permanently communicate.