Earth
ID: 4130
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.
This visualization begins by showing how a typical spacecract (NIMBUS-7) communicated with the ground before TDRS. The spacecraft occassionally communicated with ground stations as its orbit briefly took it within range. This required ground stations to be spread all over the world and only allowed for sporatic communications between spacecraft and the ground.
As the animation continues, the TDRS fleet of spacecraft are introduced and a typical modern-day spacecraft, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), is also introduced. As TRMM orbits the Earth, various TDRS spacrecraft are able to track and communicate with TRMM. This contact could be continuous, but for most spacecraft, continuous coverage is unnecessary. Constant communications between TDRS spacecraft and ground stations at White Sands and Guam are shown.
The visualization then adds many of the other TDRS users and shows how they communicate.
An additional ("extra") visualizaiton of the TDRS fleet communicating with user spacecraft is provided from a slightly different angle. These animations were created for a video supporting the launch of TDRS-12 (also called TDRS-L).
Tracking Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) Orbital Fleet Communicating with User Spacecraft
This visualization begins by showing how a typical spacecract (NIMBUS-7) communicated with the ground before TDRS. The spacecraft occassionally communicated with ground stations as its orbit briefly took it within range. This required ground stations to be spread all over the world and only allowed for sporatic communications between spacecraft and the ground.
As the animation continues, the TDRS fleet of spacecraft are introduced and a typical modern-day spacecraft, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), is also introduced. As TRMM orbits the Earth, various TDRS spacrecraft are able to track and communicate with TRMM. This contact could be continuous, but for most spacecraft, continuous coverage is unnecessary. Constant communications between TDRS spacecraft and ground stations at White Sands and Guam are shown.
The visualization then adds many of the other TDRS users and shows how they communicate.
An additional ("extra") visualizaiton of the TDRS fleet communicating with user spacecraft is provided from a slightly different angle. These animations were created for a video supporting the launch of TDRS-12 (also called TDRS-L).
Related
Visualization Credits
Greg Shirah (NASA/GSFC): Lead Animator
Ernie Wright (USRA): Animator
Stuart A. Snodgrass (HTSI): Video Editor
Stuart A. Snodgrass (HTSI): Producer
Cheryl Gramling (NASA/GSFC): Project Support
Ernie Wright (USRA): Animator
Stuart A. Snodgrass (HTSI): Video Editor
Stuart A. Snodgrass (HTSI): Producer
Cheryl Gramling (NASA/GSFC): Project Support
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio
NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio
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https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4130
Missions:
TDRS
Terra
Data Used:
Note: While we identify the data sets used in these visualizations, we do not store any further details nor the data sets themselves on our site.
Keywords:
SVS >> HDTV
SVS >> Orbit
SVS >> Hyperwall
SVS >> TDRS
NASA Science >> Earth
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4130
Missions:
TDRS
Terra
Data Used:
CelesTrak Spacecraft Orbit Ephemeris
EphemerisTerra and Aqua/MODIS/Blue Marble: Next Generation also referred to as: BMNG
Credit:
The Blue Marble data is courtesy of Reto Stockli (NASA/GSFC).
The Blue Marble data is courtesy of Reto Stockli (NASA/GSFC).
Hipparcos/Telescope/Tycho 2 Catalogue also referred to as: Tycho Catalogue
DatabaseGEOS-5 Atmospheric Model on the Cubed-Sphere also referred to as: GEOS-5 Cubed-Sphere
Model - NASA GMAO
The model is the GEOS-5 atmospheric model on the cubed-sphere, run at 14-km global resolution for 30-days. GEOS-5 is described here http://gmao.gsfc.nasa.gov/systems/geos5/ and the cubed-sphere work is described here http://sivo.gsfc.nasa.gov/cubedsphere_overview.html.
also referred to as: GSFC Flight Dynamics Facility Ephemeris
Ephemeris - GSFC/FDFKeywords:
SVS >> HDTV
SVS >> Orbit
SVS >> Hyperwall
SVS >> TDRS
NASA Science >> Earth
