TDRS-M: Continuing the Critical Lifeline

  • Released Wednesday, August 16, 2017
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The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) project is building the follow-on and replacement spacecraft necessary to maintain and expand NASA’s Space Network. The third satellite of the third generation, TDRS-M, is set to launch in August 2017. TDRS-M will launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida aboard an Atlas V rocket. This satellite will join a constellation of space-based communications satellites providing tracking, telemetry, command and high-bandwidth data return services.

NASA's continuing this legacy by launching the next generation of satellites. With the addition of TDRS-M NASA is assuring the future of continuous space to ground communication.


NASA is preparing to launch the next Tracking and Data Relay Satellite TDRS-M.


TDRS Communication Fleet in 360 Degrees


TDRS Communication Fleet in VR 360 Degrees

 

David Littmann, TDRS Project Manager

Badri Younes, Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Communication Navigation, (SCaN)

Jeff Gramling, Former TDRS Project Manager

Bruce LeRoy, TDRS Telecommunication Systems Engineer

Robert Buchanan, TDRS Deputy Project Manager

Thomas Williams, TDRS System Engineer

Marlon Enciso, TDRS Spacecraft Integration and Test Manager

TDRS-M B-Roll which consists of testing, shipping and rocket assembly. Along with animations showing launch and deployment of the TDRS satellite and the TDRS communications fleet.

TDRS launch visualization.

This visualization shows the TDRS spacecraft deployment.

This visualization shows the TDRS Communication Fleet

hard at work relaying data from satellite to the ground.

This visualization shows how data from satellites go

through the TDRS Communication Fleet to reach the ground.

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

This page was originally published on Wednesday, August 16, 2017.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 1:47 PM EDT.