Tesat decisively involved with Laser Communication Terminal and Relay Payload
PI1272 – Backnang, 04.02.2016: On January 29, 2016, the first laser node of the European Data Relay Satellite System (EDRS) was successfully launched into the orbit on board a Proton missile at 11:20 pm Central European time. The Eutelsat 9B telecommunication satellite reached its destination at around 36,000 kilometers above the equator after a nine-hour flight time, where it is now subjected to in-orbit tests.
With this great step for intersatellite communication, the cornerstone for the new data highway in space has been laid, with which up to 50 terabytes of data from the orbit can be sent to Earth every day. The faster access to satellite data is one of the main advantages of the new satellite system, in addition to the independence of ground stations from other continents.
The space company Tesat-Spacecom was responsible for the development and production of the Laser Communication Terminal (LCT). This highly complex terminal, which now looks back on 20 years of continuous development and consists of more than 7,500 individual parts, is the heart of datalink technology between satellites and allows a data transmission rate of up to 1.8 gigabits per second over a distance of 45,000 kilometers.
In addition to the LCT, the high-tech company from Backnang was also responsible for the Hybrid Relay Payload EDRS-A, including system design, manufacturing and procurement as well as system tests. For this purpose, modulators, TWTAs and filters from Tesat were installed. Other components were also used, which were procured in advance by the internal Parts Agency.
About Tesat: Over the course of five decades, Tesat-Spacecom has developed in-depth expertise in manufacturing of payload equipment for communication satellites and has established itself as a clear European market leader. On its 60,000m² premises in Backnang, Germany, 1,200 employees develop, assemble, integrate, and test systems and equipment for telecommunication via satellite. To date, more than 700 space projects have been completed. The accumulated in orbit lifetime heritage exceeds 250 million hours.
Further information for journalists:
Tesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co KG
Nina Backes, Communications
Gerberstrasse 49, D-71522 Backnang
Tel.: +49-7191-930-1126
E-Mail: info[at]tesat.de