{"id":73654,"date":"2020-11-06T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-06T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-465976"},"modified":"2023-08-09T11:45:52","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T15:45:52","slug":"the-international-space-station-20-years-of-communications-excellence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/the-international-space-station-20-years-of-communications-excellence\/","title":{"rendered":"The International Space Station: 20 Years of Communications Excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>For <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/station20\">20 years<\/a>, NASA has maintained a continuous human presence in space. The <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/main\/index.html\">International Space Station<\/a> \u2014 a marvel of cooperative engineering, science, and research \u2014 has made this incredible feat possible. Throughout the mission, NASA\u2019s <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/heo\/scan\/index.html\">Space Communications and Navigation<\/a> (SCaN) networks have connected station astronauts with loved ones on Earth and empowered profound research on the orbiting laboratory.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center padding-y-3 maxw-full width-full display-flex flex-align-center hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-blockquote\"><div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:display-flex mobile:display-block\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-icon margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"tablet:square-4 square-4 margin-right-3\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 3000 3000\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 3000 3000;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"> <g> <path d=\"M586.7,1429.7c-10.7,1.5-21.4,2.8-33.9,4.5c6.9-26.6,12.7-50.7,19.5-74.6c32.4-114.1,78.5-222.2,146.8-319.5 c90.2-128.5,202.5-235.3,327.7-329.1c8.4-6.3,16.7-12.6,25.3-19.1c-66.3-105.1-131.5-208.6-197.3-313.1c-3.5,1.2-5.5,1.6-7.2,2.6 C714.4,469,576.1,575.7,456,705.3c-126,135.9-226.2,289.1-303,457.8c-98.8,217.1-151.3,444-147.2,683.3 c1.7,100.5,12.9,199.6,41.1,296.3C93.7,2303,182.2,2433,326.7,2520.1c176.9,106.7,366.8,126.8,563.4,70.5 c150.9-43.2,260.9-138.9,327.2-282.5c33.4-72.5,47.8-149.4,52-228.7c6.5-122.8-14.1-239.5-74.3-348.1 C1074.6,1514.5,832.7,1394.2,586.7,1429.7z\"><\/path><path d=\"M2912.5,1722c-129.9-210.9-320.2-309.4-567.9-296c-22.1,1.2-44,5.1-67.4,7.9c2.2-9.6,4-17.9,6.1-26.2 c37.9-153.6,99.3-296,198.8-420.5c77.8-97.4,167.1-182.9,265.8-258.8c15.6-12,31.3-23.9,47.9-36.5 c-66.2-105.1-131.9-209.2-197.2-312.8c-3.5,1.1-5.1,1.2-6.4,2c-167.2,95.6-316.1,213.7-443.2,358.8 c-105.1,119.9-191.1,252.3-259.5,396.3c-95.5,201-152.1,411.6-159.1,634.8c-3.9,125.5,4.8,249.7,40.1,371 c46.7,160.8,135.7,290.9,280.5,378.7c165.7,100.5,344.8,123,531.2,78.8c172.4-40.8,296.4-143.9,366.3-308.5 c28.5-67.2,40.6-138,44.6-210.5C3000.2,1953.3,2979.9,1831.4,2912.5,1722z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"font-weight-extralight line-height-sm margin-top-0 section-heading-sm\"><span class=\"section-heading-sm\">Space communications has always been a vital piece of NASA\u2019s crewed missions in low-Earth orbit and beyond.\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-image hds-cover-wrapper margin-right-3\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"109\" height=\"92\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/nasa-logo.svg?w=109&h=92&crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Robyn Gatens\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-11\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"blockquote-credit-name line-height-sm margin-0\">Robyn Gatens<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"blockquote-credit-title line-height-sm padding-0 margin-0\">Acting Director of the International Space Station<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs we celebrate 20 years of science and research aboard the station, we also celebrate the mission-enabling support infrastructure that makes it all possible,\u201d said Robyn Gatens, acting director of the International Space Station at NASA Headquarters in Washington. \u201cSpace communications has always been a vital piece of NASA\u2019s crewed missions in low-Earth orbit and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Construction of the International Space Station in orbit began on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-feature\/20-years-ago-construction-began-on-the-international-space-station\" rel=\"noopener\">Nov. 20, 1998<\/a>, when the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/structure\/elements\/zarya-cargo-module\" rel=\"noopener\">Zayra Module<\/a> launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Since then, the orbiting laboratory has been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/structure\/elements\/space-station-assembly\" rel=\"noopener\">expanded and upgraded<\/a> to meet the needs of astronauts living on the station and the science objectives of the mission.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2040\" height=\"2040\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?w=2040\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"The Zarya module in orbit around Earth. \" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg 2040w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?resize=1536,1536 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?resize=900,900 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?resize=1200,1200 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?resize=2000,2000 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2040px) 100vw, 2040px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Nov. 20, 1998, was a day to mark in history. The Russian Space Agency, now known as Roscosmos, launched a Proton rocket that lifted the pressurized module called Zarya, or \u201csunrise,\u201d into orbit. This launch would truly be the dawn of the largest international cooperation effort in space to ever come to light. Zarya was the first piece of the International Space Station. Also known as the Functional Cargo Block (FGB), it would provide a nucleus of orientation control, communications and electrical power while the station waited for its other elements, including the Zvezda service module and Unity.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Since Nov. 2, 2000, the space station has been occupied continuously by astronauts from NASA and international space organizations. The million-pound spacecraft has an <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/facts-and-figures\">internal pressurized volume equal that of a Boeing 747<\/a>, providing living space for six-months long Expedition crews of six people, while sometimes hosting up to 13 during crew rotations and shuttle visits.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center padding-y-3 maxw-full width-full display-flex flex-align-center hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-blockquote\"><div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:display-flex mobile:display-block\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-icon margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"tablet:square-4 square-4 margin-right-3\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 3000 3000\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 3000 3000;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"> <g> <path d=\"M586.7,1429.7c-10.7,1.5-21.4,2.8-33.9,4.5c6.9-26.6,12.7-50.7,19.5-74.6c32.4-114.1,78.5-222.2,146.8-319.5 c90.2-128.5,202.5-235.3,327.7-329.1c8.4-6.3,16.7-12.6,25.3-19.1c-66.3-105.1-131.5-208.6-197.3-313.1c-3.5,1.2-5.5,1.6-7.2,2.6 C714.4,469,576.1,575.7,456,705.3c-126,135.9-226.2,289.1-303,457.8c-98.8,217.1-151.3,444-147.2,683.3 c1.7,100.5,12.9,199.6,41.1,296.3C93.7,2303,182.2,2433,326.7,2520.1c176.9,106.7,366.8,126.8,563.4,70.5 c150.9-43.2,260.9-138.9,327.2-282.5c33.4-72.5,47.8-149.4,52-228.7c6.5-122.8-14.1-239.5-74.3-348.1 C1074.6,1514.5,832.7,1394.2,586.7,1429.7z\"><\/path><path d=\"M2912.5,1722c-129.9-210.9-320.2-309.4-567.9-296c-22.1,1.2-44,5.1-67.4,7.9c2.2-9.6,4-17.9,6.1-26.2 c37.9-153.6,99.3-296,198.8-420.5c77.8-97.4,167.1-182.9,265.8-258.8c15.6-12,31.3-23.9,47.9-36.5 c-66.2-105.1-131.9-209.2-197.2-312.8c-3.5,1.1-5.1,1.2-6.4,2c-167.2,95.6-316.1,213.7-443.2,358.8 c-105.1,119.9-191.1,252.3-259.5,396.3c-95.5,201-152.1,411.6-159.1,634.8c-3.9,125.5,4.8,249.7,40.1,371 c46.7,160.8,135.7,290.9,280.5,378.7c165.7,100.5,344.8,123,531.2,78.8c172.4-40.8,296.4-143.9,366.3-308.5 c28.5-67.2,40.6-138,44.6-210.5C3000.2,1953.3,2979.9,1831.4,2912.5,1722z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"font-weight-extralight line-height-sm margin-top-0 section-heading-sm\"><span class=\"section-heading-sm\">NASA\u2019s relay satellites provide the space station with robust, comprehensive services that keep our astronauts connected with mission control at all times."<\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-image hds-cover-wrapper margin-right-3\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Goldstone_34_meter_BWG.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Sue Chang\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Goldstone_34_meter_BWG.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Goldstone_34_meter_BWG.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Goldstone_34_meter_BWG.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Goldstone_34_meter_BWG.jpg?resize=200,200 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-11\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"blockquote-credit-name line-height-sm margin-0\">Sue Chang<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"blockquote-credit-title line-height-sm padding-0 margin-0\">Network Services Division Director<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>NASA\u2019s communications networks have made construction and occupation of the station possible. The station primarily relies on the constellation of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/heo\/scan\/services\/networks\/tdrs_main\" rel=\"noopener\">Tracking and Data Relay Satellites<\/a> (TDRS) and associated ground antennas. The orbiting laboratory sends its data to TDRS in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/audience\/forstudents\/5-8\/features\/geo_feature_5_8.html\" rel=\"noopener\">geosynchronous orbit<\/a>, which then relay that data to ground antennas at the White Sands Complex in Las Cruces, New Mexico and the Guam Remote Ground Terminal.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1-tdrs_image_1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1583\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1-tdrs_image_1.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Artist's concept of a Tracking and Data Relay (TDRS) satellite in orbit around the Earth.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1-tdrs_image_1.jpg 3300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1-tdrs_image_1.jpg?resize=300,232 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1-tdrs_image_1.jpg?resize=768,593 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1-tdrs_image_1.jpg?resize=1024,791 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1-tdrs_image_1.jpg?resize=1536,1187 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1-tdrs_image_1.jpg?resize=2048,1583 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1-tdrs_image_1.jpg?resize=400,309 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1-tdrs_image_1.jpg?resize=600,464 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1-tdrs_image_1.jpg?resize=900,695 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1-tdrs_image_1.jpg?resize=1200,927 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1-tdrs_image_1.jpg?resize=2000,1545 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Illustration of a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) in orbit around the Earth. TDRS have long provided robust communications services to near-Earth NASA missions like the International Space Station.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The orbiting laboratory also has a backup communications system. A series of <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2018\/nasa-upgrades-space-station-emergency-communications-ground-stations\">very-high frequency<\/a> (VHF) antennas around the world can provide astronauts with voice-only communications in the unlikely event of an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNASA\u2019s relay satellites provide the space station with robust, comprehensive services that keep our astronauts connected with mission control at all times,\u201d said Network Services Division Director Susan Chang. \u201cIn combination with the redundant VHF network, TDRS assures the continued success and safety of the station.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the constellation of TDRS now provides near-continuous communications to low-Earth-orbiting missions, that wasn\u2019t always the case. Until 1998, TDRS in two nodes provided coverage for 85% of the station\u2019s orbit. NASA closed that \u201c<a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2017\/tdrs-an-era-of-continuous-space-communications\">zone of exclusion<\/a>\u201d with the construction of the remote ground terminal in Guam, allowing communications with the station while over the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/guam_full.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/guam_full.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"NASA's Guam Remote Ground Terminal.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/guam_full.jpg 2272w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/guam_full.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/guam_full.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/guam_full.jpg?resize=1024,768 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/guam_full.jpg?resize=1536,1152 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/guam_full.jpg?resize=2048,1536 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/guam_full.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/guam_full.jpg?resize=600,450 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/guam_full.jpg?resize=900,675 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/guam_full.jpg?resize=1200,900 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/guam_full.jpg?resize=2000,1500 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The Guam Remote Ground Terminal (GRGT) was constructed in the 1990s to close the gap in coverage, or Zone of Exclusion, over the Indian Ocean for the Space Network (SN). GRGT allows Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) to downlink and uplink data while not in line of sight of the White Sands Complex in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The antennas are protected by radomes, as frequent rainy weather could interfere with operations.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>NASA continued to enhance the services that TDRS can provide the space station. Technicians have updated the space station\u2019s software-based modem, improved data processors at various NASA centers, and enhanced routers, interfaces and other equipment and software at the ground stations. These modernization efforts have gradually increased the amount of data NASA can downlink from the station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2016, the agency doubled the data per second that the station can transmit to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2016\/nasa-communications-network-to-double-space-station-data-rates\" rel=\"noopener\">300 megabits per second<\/a>. In 2019, NASA doubled the data rate again to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2019\/data-rate-increase-on-the-international-space-station-supports-future-exploration\" rel=\"noopener\">600 megabits per second<\/a> \u2014 faster than most household fiber optic connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe space station was designed in the 1990s. Recall our way of life then. A typical internet service provider had people to \u2018dial up\u2019 to get access to use of the internet.  As the space station evolved with ever-advancing instruments, space communications evolved with timely innovations,\u201d said SCaN Mission Commitment Manager John Hudiburg. \u201cInvestments in the ground segment have allowed us to keep pace with these needs, delivering more data to mission operations centers than ever before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout its history, the space station has also served as a hub for communications research and development. From 2012 to 2019, the <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/heo\/scan\/engineering\/technology\/txt_scantestbed.html\">SCaN Testbed<\/a> provided communications engineers with a platform to study space-based applications of <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/heo\/scan\/engineering\/technology\/txt_sdr.html\">software-defined radios<\/a>. The Testbed researched innovations like <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2017\/nasa-explores-artificial-intelligence-for-space-communications\">cognitive communications<\/a>, space-based GPS, and <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/glenn\/2019\/communications-testbed-leaves-legacy-of-pioneering-technology\">Ka-band communications<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/scan_testbed_0.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"719\" height=\"584\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/scan_testbed_0.jpg?w=719\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"NASA's SCaN Testbed preparing for launch to the International Space Station. \" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/scan_testbed_0.jpg 719w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/scan_testbed_0.jpg?resize=300,244 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/scan_testbed_0.jpg?resize=400,325 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/scan_testbed_0.jpg?resize=600,487 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 719px) 100vw, 719px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The SCAN Testbed, formerly known as Communications, Navigation, and Networking reConfigurable Testbed (CoNNeCT), served as a test facility for NASA research on radio communications and the Global Positioning System (GPS).<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The station has also tested revolutionary <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/heo\/scan\/opticalcommunications\">optical communications technologies<\/a> that use infrared lasers to exceed data-rates offered by comparable radio systems. The <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/research\/news\/opals_data_rates_soar\">Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science<\/a> proved the practicality space-to-ground optical communications. The upcoming <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/tdm\/lcrd\/index.html\">Laser Communications Relay Demonstration<\/a> (LCRD) \u2014 launching in 2021 \u2014 will test TDRS-like applications of optical communications with the station with the <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/heo\/scan\/opticalcommunications\/illuma-t\/\">Integrated LCRD Low-Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal<\/a> (ILLUMA-T). When operational, ILLUMA-T will complete the first end-to-end optical communications space relay system ever built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2017\/nasa-program-gives-students-access-to-astronauts\">communications outreach<\/a>, the space station has reached young people worldwide through amateur, or ham, radio. <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ariss.org\/\">Amateur Radio on the International Space Station<\/a> (ARISS) organizes contacts between astronauts on the station and students, encouraging them to pursue STEM interests and careers. ARISS is also celebrating its <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/research\/news\/iss-20-years-ham-radio-infographic\">20 year anniversary<\/a> this year on Nov. 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking to the future, NASA is exploring opportunities to utilize <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/Goddard\/2020\/nasa-to-commercialize-near-earth-communications-services\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2020\/nasa-to-commercialize-near-earth-communications-services\" rel=\"noopener\">commercialize communications services<\/a> for the station. Rather than exclusively using government-owned relay satellites and ground stations, NASA\u2019s SCaN program is aiming to demonstrate communication services provided by industry to supply the orbiting laboratory with additional bandwidth and to make those services available to other space users. Utilizing commercial infrastructure could mean lower costs and more robust services while bolstering the commercial space economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about SCaN visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/SCaN\" rel=\"noopener\">www.nasa.gov\/SCaN<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-article-hero-header nasa-gb-align-full bg-carbon-90 width-full maxw-full color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-hero-header\">\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full maxw-full minh-tablet grid-container minh-tablet flex-column padding-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-foreground-wrapper display-flex flex-direction-column\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block margin-top-auto width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-y-9 padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-3 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"z-400 grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-7 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-spacesuit-white margin-bottom-2\">5 Min Read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"heading-41 line-height-md color-spacesuit-white-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe International Space Station: 20 Years of Communications Excellence\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top z-200\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"985\" height=\"657\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss056e201248.jpg?w=985\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"The International Space Station photographed by Expedition 56 crew members from a Soyuz spacecraft after undocking. The station will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the launch of the first element Zarya in November 2018.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 64%; object-position: 50% 64%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss056e201248.jpg 985w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss056e201248.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss056e201248.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss056e201248.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss056e201248.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss056e201248.jpg?resize=900,600 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 985px) 100vw, 985px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"padding-y-3 padding-x-3\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"hds-caption maxw-mobile desktop:padding-x-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0 color-carbon-30\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><figcaption>The International Space Station photographed by Expedition 56 crew members from a Soyuz spacecraft after undocking. NASA astronauts Andrew Feustel and Ricky Arnold and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev executed a fly around of the orbiting laboratory to take pictures of the station before returning home after spending 197 days in space. The station will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the launch of the first element Zarya in November 2018. <\/figcaption><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-credits color-spacesuit-white-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Credits: <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>NASA\/Roscosmos<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For 20 years, NASA has maintained a continuous human presence in space. The International Space Station \u2014 a marvel of cooperative engineering, science, and research \u2014 has made this incredible feat possible. Throughout the mission, NASA\u2019s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) networks have connected station astronauts with loved ones on Earth and empowered profound research on [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":257,"featured_media":76650,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2735,3315],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"The International Space Station: 20 Years of Communications Excellence","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/the-international-space-station-20-years-of-communications-excellence\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/the-international-space-station-20-years-of-communications-excellence\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg"},"articleSection":"Missions","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Danny Baird"}],"creator":["Danny Baird"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Directorates","Space Operations Mission Directorate","Space Communications & Navigation Program","International Space Station (ISS)"],"dateCreated":"2020-11-06T19:00:00Z","datePublished":"2020-11-06T19:00:00Z","dateModified":"2023-08-09T15:45:52Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"The International Space Station: 20 Years of Communications Excellence\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/the-international-space-station-20-years-of-communications-excellence\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2020-11-06T19:00:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Missions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Directorates,Space Operations Mission Directorate,Space Communications & Navigation Program,International Space Station (ISS)\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Danny Baird\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":5,"time_ago":"4 years","featured_image":{"id":76650,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/sts088-703-032_orig.jpg","title":"sts088-703-032_orig","alt":"The Zarya module in orbit around Earth.","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73654"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/257"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=73654"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73654\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":302593,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73654\/revisions\/302593"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76650"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=73654"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=73654"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=73654"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=73654"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=73654"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}