Tracking and Data Relay Satellite

The Tracking and Data Relay Satellites ( TDRS ) (English for course tracking and data relay satellites) form a network of communication satellites which is used by NASA and other U.S. government agencies to communicate to satellites, the space shuttle and the International Space Station. The system was developed to replace the existing network of ground stations that had supported all manned NASA missions until then. The main objective of the development has been the increase in the amount of time to communicate with the spacecraft to the ground station and the increase of the bandwidth.

The first seven satellites were built by TRW, the following Boeing. Twelve satellites have been launched, eight of which are actively in use, TDRS -L is started, but not yet in operation.

The first TDRS was launched in 1983 from space aboard the shuttle Challenger during its first mission, STS -6. A built by Boeing Advanced ( Inertial Upper Stage) should put the satellite of the orbit of the Challenger in a geostationary orbit, but did not work properly. Therefore, the on-board control thrusters had to be used to achieve the desired orbit can. Due to increased fuel consumption, the lifetime reduced. Therefore, the satellite was only partially used to support communication over Antarctica in October 2009 and taken out of service.

The second satellite was lost during the tenth Challenger launch, when the Space Shuttle on its designated STS -51 -L mission shortly after launch exploded (see Challenger disaster ). The next five TDRS were later exposed by various space shuttles. The successor started with Atlas rocket into space. A press release from NASA describes the capabilities of the new system as follows:

"Working solo, TDRS -1 Provided more communication coverage in support of the September 1983 shuttle mission, than the Entire network of NASA tracking stations had Provided in all previous Shuttle missions. "

Corresponding translation:

" Alone working could handle more data transfer during shuttle mission in September 1983, the satellite TDRS -1 ( TDRS A), as the entire network of ground tracking stations NASA during all previous shuttle missions. "

Transfer systems have been developed satellites TDRS for the simultaneous transmission of multiple data streams. Each satellite has systems for transmitting the S - band, Ku-band and Ka-band on-board, to allow for different data rates. The built by Boeing Satellite of the second generation are able to transfer more connections than the old built by TRW satellite.

In December 2007, NASA awarded the contract for two TDRS satellites of the third generation of Boeing. These satellites, to be launched in 2013 correspond to externally largely the Second Generation satellites, but carry more powerful solar arrays and improved electronic components. A third satellite of this series was appointed in November 2011.

Start-up sequence

The satellites will be before the start alphabetically, numbered after the successful start with numbers.

1st generation

  • A TDRS ( TDRS 1) was launched on April 4, 1983 by STS -6 from. Decommissioning October 2009
  • TDRS B was destroyed on 28 January 1986 aboard STS -51 -L
  • TDRS C ( TDRS 3) was launched on 29 September 1988 by STS- 26
  • TDRS D ( TDRS 4) was launched on March 13, 1989 by STS- 29 from. Decommissioning December 2011
  • TDRS E ( TDRS 5) was launched on 2 August, 1991 by STS- 43
  • TDRS F ( TDRS 6) was launched on 13 January 1993 by STS- 54
  • TDRS G ( TDRS 7), a substitute for the lost TDRS B was started on 13 July 1995 by STS -70 from

2nd generation

Based on the proven Boeing 601 commercial satellite bus

  • TDRS H ( TDRS 8 ), the first built by Boeing satellite, was launched on 20 January 2000 with an Atlas IIA
  • I TDRS ( TDRS 9) was launched on 8 March 2002 with an Atlas IIA
  • J TDRS ( TDRS 10) was launched on 10 December 2002 with an Atlas IIA

3rd generation

As the satellites of the second generation, these are based on the Boeing 601 satellite bus

  • TDRS K ( TDRS 11) was launched on 31 January 2013, an Atlas V 401.
  • TDRS L was launched on 24 January 2014, an Atlas V 401. Once he is in actual operation, he will receive the designation TDRS 12
  • TDRS M scheduled for December 2016Vorlage: Future / In 2 years
  • TDRS N ( optional)

Gallery

TDRS -G is prepared for launch

TDRS -J is prepared for launch

TDRS K is prepared for launch

TDRS - station at the South Pole

TRW Inc. STS-6 STS-26 STS-29 STS-43 STS-54 STS-70
763423
de