PARIS\u00a0\u2014\u00a0A space-based laser communication system fitted onboard the European Data Relay System (EDRS)-A satellite payload is due to be launched Jan. 27, offering commercial and military operators a secure and high-capacity data transmitter, European Space Agency officials and Airbus Defence & Space executives said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The laser technology offers “volume and velocity,” said Magali Vaissiere, an ESA director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The laser communication terminal, built by Tesat Spacecom, an Airbus DS unit, will allow aircraft and unmanned aircraft systemsdrones<\/span> to transmit pictures, video and data by laser rather than radio. A laser beam offers security and stealth from hackers, an Airbus DS spokesman said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Airbus DS, as prime contractor in a public-private partnership with the ESA, funded a third of the EDRS program during a three- to four-year period, said Evert Dudok, head of communications, intelligence and security at the Airbus unit. The program had a total budget of almost \u20ac500 million (US $556\u00a0million), and was backed the European Commission as the anchor client, with Germany backing the program through the DLR space administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An Airbus A330 multirole tanker transport aircraft is due to fly the laser terminal this summer as a test for military aircraft and drones, Dudok said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The satellite laser terminal allows transfer of 1.8 gigabits per second, up to 50 terabytes a day at a near real-time rate, compared to the present delay of\u00a0often three to four hours, Airbus DS said. Airbus refers to the EDRS as SpaceDataHighway program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A second EDRS-C satellite is due to be launched as a\u00a0back-up unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n