back to article Baikonur hosts satellite laser comms node launch

The first orbiting component of the European Data Relay System (EDRS) is due to blast off at 22:20 GMT tonight from Baikonur Cosmodrome atop a Russian Proton rocket. Also dubbed the "SpaceDataHighway", EDRS is described as the "the most sophisticated laser communication network ever designed", which when fully operational will …

  1. Fullbeem

    Popcorn time

    I'll get my popcorn ready

    1. Robert Helpmann??
      Childcatcher

      Re: Popcorn time

      Have an upvote for the Real Genius reference. Happy Friday!

  2. This post has been deleted by its author

  3. Mike Shepherd

    "the most sophisticated < xxx> ever designed"

    Cue sound "There May be Trouble Ahead...".

    1. allthecoolshortnamesweretaken

      Re: "the most sophisticated < xxx> ever designed"

      There may be trouble ahead

      But while there's moonlight

      And music and love and romance -

      Let's face the music and dance!

  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    huh

    America-reducing dependence on foreign assets = xenophobic bastards planning for war omg!

    EU -reducing dependency on foreign assets = doing the smart thing, showing independent initiative yay!

    ?

    1. Ali Um Bongo
      Alert

      Re: huh

      Don't worry. Europe will doubtless give the USA full access to the system. Being in love is all about sharing.

      1. Martin Budden Silver badge
        Paris Hilton

        Re: huh

        And leaving your back door wide open.

  5. Gene Cash Silver badge

    Thanks for the link

    Interesting that the video lists "intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance" as the main applications, as this is an inherently far more secure communication than radio.

    Thanks for the launch stream link. None of my normal space pages seem to think that would be a useful piece of information.

    1. Lester Haines (Written by Reg staff) Gold badge

      Re: Thanks for the link

      Interestingly, ESA didn't think it was important either in its "watch the launch" heads-up.

  6. MajorTom

    Best of luck with launch and deployment

    I, for one, am worried about the Proton booster given its record of late.

    1. Martin Budden Silver badge

      Re: Best of luck with launch and deployment

      It worked.

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