TDRS-M: Continuing the Critical Lifeline

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    ID: 12852 Produced Video

    Space Communications Live Interviews - Feb. 15, 2018

    Feb. 7th, 2018
    (updated May 3rd, 2023)

    B-roll for suggested questions 1-5. || Next Generation of Space Exploration Starts at NASANew Straight out of Sci-Fi Laser Technology Will Advance Space CommunicationsWe’ve all been frustrated with spotty cell coverage. NASA faced a similar issue, in space. Fifty years ago, astronauts were only able to communicate with Earth about 15 percent of the time. Thanks to NASA’s advances in space communications, every word and heartbeat from astronauts circling 250 miles above Earth aboard the International Space Station comes down to Mission Control in near real-time. NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) bring in data from over 40 missions including the space station.Have you ever wondered how NASA communicates with astronauts and streams live video from space? Or how striking images of the cosmos get back to Earth? Join NASA space communications experts from 6:00-11:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 15, to learn about this amazing technology and get a preview of how NASA is using lasers to take space communications and navigation to the next level for future exploration missions.The space communications network that allows NASA astronauts and low-Earth orbiting satellites to communicate with the ground is entering a new age of exploration and technology. The latest TDRS launched on Aug. 18, 2017. This week, TDRS-13 officially joined NASA’s Space Network. With its addition, the TDRS fleet has more satellites than ever before, working together to enable science discoveries and exploration. Future communications satellites will use lasers to relay even more data at once.*****Schedule a live or taped interview*****Clare Skelly / clare.a.skelly@nasa.gov / 301-286-4994HD Satellite Coordinates for G17-K18/Upper: Galaxy 17 Ku-band Xp 18 Slot Upper| 91.0 ° W Longitude | DL 12069.0 MHz | Vertical Polarity | QPSK/DVB-S | FEC 3/4 | SR 13.235 Mbps | DR 18.2954 MHz | HD 720p | Format MPEG2 | Chroma Level 4:2:0 | Audio EmbeddedSuggested Questions:1. How has communicating with astronauts changed since the Apollo missions?2. NASA’s space communications network has more satellites than ever before working to bring back data from space. What does the newest satellite add to the network?3. How will NASA eventually use ‘space lasers’ to advance this technology?4. NASA spacecraft capture stunning imagery of everything from our home planet to the cosmos. What kinds of missions does TDRS support?5. Where can we learn more?Extra Questions for Longer Interviews:1. How will NASA take future generations of space communications satellites to the next level?2. What is NASA doing to develop and perfect laser communications technology? 3. NASA has three communications networks – the Near Earth Network, Space Network and Deep Space Network. How are they different?4. How would you describe the TDRS legacy?Location: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Greenbelt, MarylandInterview Talent:David Littmann/TDRS Project ManagerCheryl Gramling/Navigation Systems EngineerGreg Heckler/Telecommunications Systems ManagerSandra Cauffman/Deputy Director of the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters [Spanish speaker]Video: NASA will roll all insert videos during live interviews. If needed, stations can roll a clean feed of all video at 5:45 a.m. ET on Feb. 15, at the above listed satellite. Canned interviews and b-roll will be available on this page starting at 6 p.m. on Feb. 14.For more visit: https://esc.gsfc.nasa.gov/ and @NASA_TDRS ||

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    ID: 4201 Visualization

    Tracking Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) Orbital Fleet Communicating with User Spacecraft 2017 - 360 video

    Aug. 16th, 2017
    (updated May 3rd, 2023)

    Visualization depicting TDRS satellites communicating with customer satellites. White lines represent periods of communication between satellites. Constant contact between TDRS satellites and ground stations is also displayed using grey lines. || The Tracking Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) fleet has provided spacecraft communications and tracking since the 1980's. Designed to replace most ground stations and provide longer periods of coverage, TDRS spacecraft have become an indispensable component of both manned and unmanned Earth orbiting space missions.The 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. ||

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    ID: 12720 Produced Video

    Data Relay Network

    Nov. 27th, 2017
    (updated May 3rd, 2023)

    Meet the satellites that relay data from space to the ground. || With two-thirds of our planet covered in water, satellites observing Earth in low orbit or in elliptical orbits aren't always in range of stations on the ground that can receive their data. That's where NASA's network of Tracking and Data Relay Satellites, or TDRS, comes in. These ten satellites circle Earth out in geosynchronous orbit, turning with Earth to remain in position over the same spot on the ground. From this position, one of these communications satellites is always within range of the science satellites - and the ground stations on Earth that can receive their data. Managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, TDRS satellites relay science data and spacecraft operating data back to Earth, as well as track the spacecraft's location. They also relay commands from engineers on the ground to the satellites. Watch the videos to learn more. ||

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