EDRS-C completed its commissioning tests last week and is now ready to start operational service. The second node of the European Data Relay Satellite System (EDRS) strengthens the position of the world's first laser communication constellation and doubles its capacity. While currently the SpaceDataHighway mainly serves the European Copernicus programme, until 2030 a total of 15 satellites should use the very high bandwidth data connectivity.

The success story of our TESAT Campus continues. Meanwhile, our second and third training was finished and thirteen new, happy and successfully certified participants could be released to the world of EEE space parts.

Tomorrow starts this year’s Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen and, counting as a home match, we will be there as almost every years. Even though being an old hand we are excited about the upcoming few days and are glad to be part of this great, international space community.

Already for the 32^nd time, the MEWS conference took place in Japan. This year's main topic: EEE components and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) as a trump card to NewSpace activity.

Our TESAT Parts Agency participated at this weeks ACCEDE workshop from the European Space Agency ESA from 6. to 8. November. The conference has its focus on the use of Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and parts for use in space applications.

Today we can announce that we delivered our first CubeLCT to a non-disclosed, US-American customer. The CubeLCT is a small, ultra-lightweight optical data transmitter, which is capable of transferring data with 100 Megabit per second from low Earth orbit satellites directly to ground. For us, this delivery marks the starting point of a new product family focusing on NewSpace applications for small satellites and CubeSats.

The 18^th DLR Components Conference took place on 23^rd  and 24^th  May in Bonn Königswinter. The 120 participants of the German aerospace supply industry discussed intensively about news and future topics around EEE components.

The TESAT Parts Agency and the EEE Centre were represented here with three lectures from Dr. Witzany (EEE Centre), Mr. Rostewitz (EEE Centre) and Dr. Kuechen (Parts Agency).

The European Service Module (ESM) Flight Unit 1, a part of the ORION spacecraft, has successfully been shipped from Germany to the US and is now prepared for its marriage with the NASA crew vehicle to be made ready for the launch at the Kennedy Space Center. Not just being a great success for NASA, ESA and Airbus, but also for the Tesat-Spacecom Parts Agency. As subcontractor of Airbus, TESAT is leading the Coordinated Parts Procurement (CPPA) for the European Service Module, which occupies a relevant part of the new Multipurpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV).

Aladin’s magic lamp ready for take off: After 16 years of preparation and tough technical difficulties, Aeolus is finally ready to go for its final destination in low earth orbit. Weighing 1.4 tons, Aeolus carries the payload “Aladin”(Atmospheric Laser Doppler Instrument), which is based on the concept of LIDAR (Light detection and ranging), a method related to RADAR, but with laser beams for distance measuring instead of radio waves.

Recently an editor of the VDI-Nachrichten paid us a visit for his research on laser communications and EDRS-C, having no fear bringing our experts to their limits and asking difficult and uncomfortable questions. The result is an exciting and extensive article with the headline „Lichtgestalt“ („Shining Light“).

The article describes our LCT135, which we developed and produced in cooperation with DLR IKN, and its role within Airbus’ SpaceDataHighway.

Many thanks to Iestyn Hartbrich for the well-written article.

Here is the article: https://www.vdi-nachrichten.com/Gesellschaft/Lichtgestalt