NASA TV's Public, Education and Media channels are available on an MPEG-2 digital C-band signal via satellite on AMC-3, Transponder 15C in continental North America, Alaska and Hawaii. Analog NASA TV is no longer available.
› For Satellite Dish Owners
› For Educators
› For Media
› For Cable or Satellite Service Providers
What is Digital NASA TV?
Digital NASA TV has three accessible digital channels:
- NASA Public ("Free to Air"), featuring documentaries, archival programming, and coverage of NASA missions and events;
- NASA Education ("Free to Air/Addressable"), dedicated to providing educational programming to schools, educational institutions and museums;
- NASA Media ("Addressable"), for broadcast news organizations
Note: Digital NASA TV channels may not always have programming on every channel simultaneously.
Why is NASA TV digital?
Digital NASA TV system provides higher quality images and better use of satellite bandwidth, meaning multiple channels from multiple NASA program sources at the same time.
Can I watch NASA TV on the Web?
Yes, NASA TV's Public, Education and Media channels are streamed
here on the Web. All you need is access to a computer.
Can I get digital NASA TV from my local cable or satellite service provider?
The NASA TV Public and Educational channels are "free-to-air," meaning your cable or satellite service provider can carry each or both at no cost. Contact your local cable or satellite service provider about carrying NASA TV.
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I have my own C-band-sized satellite dish. What else do I need to get the digital NASA TV Public Channel?
If your C-Band-sized satellite dish is capable of receiving digital television signals, you still need a Digital Video Broadcast (DVB)-compliant MPEG-2 Integrated Receiver Decoder, or IRD, to get Digital NASA's Public "Free to Air" Channel.
An IRD that receives "Free to Air" programming like the Digital NASA TV Public Channel can be purchased from many sources, including "off-the-shelf" at your local electronics store.
Digital NASA TV is on satellite AMC 3, Transponder 15C.
NASA TV provides only C-band digital service (no Ku-band).
Here is additional satellite information you may find helpful:
Digital Satellite C-Band Downlink for continental North America, Alaska and Hawaii:
Uplink provider = Americom
Satellite = AMC 3
Transponder = 15C
87 Degrees West
Downlink Frequency: 4000 Mhz
Polarity: Horizontal
FEC = 3/4
Data Rate r= 38.860 MHz
Symbol = 28.1115 Ms/s
Transmission = DVB
"Public Channel" Programming:
SD Program = 101 (HQ1)
Video PID = 111
MPEG I Layer II Audio PID = 114
AC-3 PID = 115
"Education Channel" Programming:
SD Program = 102 (HQ2)
Video PID = 121
MPEG I Layer II Audio PID = 124
AC-3 Audio PID = 125
"Media Channel" Programming:
SD Program = 103 (HQ3)
Video PID = 1031
MPEG I Layer II Audio PID = 1034
AC-3 Audio PID = 1035
NOTES:
1. PCR (program clock reference) information is included within the Video PID by the Harmonic Encoders used by NASA TV
2. PMT (Transport Stream Program Map Table) settings are as follows:
Program = 101 (HQ1) = 0110 decimal = 0x006E
Program = 102 (HQ2) = 0120 decimal = 0x0078
Program = 103 (HQ3) = 1030 decimal = 0x0406
A 'C Band' size satellite dish is needed to receive multi-channel NASA TV. It may also be necessary to modify some of your dish hardware, such as LNBs, to optimize performance. LNB's that are "phase locked" are recommended, though many models of "non-phase locked" LNB's should work. Check with your particular manufacturer for recommendations. NASA TV will not be making vendor specific recommendations and is not responsible for providing any downlink infrastructure.
LNB Recommended Minimum Specifications:
Frequency Stability: › /- 1.0 MHz
SSB Phase Noise:
Offset dBc/Hz
| Offset | dBc/Hz |
| 1 kHz | -60 |
| 10 kHz | -75 |
| 100 kHz | -85 |
Voltage: 15 to 24 VDC
Current: 100 to 250 ma.
NASA TV provides only C-band digital service (no Ku-band).
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I'm an educator who works for a school, educational institution or museum. What equipment will my organization need to get the digital NASA TV Education Channel?
If you have a C-Band-size satellite dish capable of receiving digital television signals, you still need a Digital Video Broadcast (DVB)-compliant MPEG-2 Integrated Receiver Decoder, or IRD, to get the digital NASA TV Education Channel. Your IRD will provide access to the digital NASA TV Public Channel, as well, which also offers education materials.
An IRD that receives "Free to Air" programming like the new digital NASA TV Education Channel can be purchased from many sources, including "off-the-shelf" at your local electronics store.
Occasionally, the new digital NASA TV Education Channel may provide its programming in an "addressable" format. If your institution were to purchase an "addressable" IRD with "store-and-forward" capabilities, the digital NASA TV Education Channel could, from time to time, "address," or send specific programming to your IRD's hard drive for playback and use at your convenience. An "addressable" IRD has great potential for educational activities as NASA could offer programming designed specifically for a targeted educational audience. For technical specifications and pricing, visit
http://www.nasadigitaltv.com.
Digital NASA TV is on satellite AMC 3, Transponder 15C.
NASA TV provides only C-band digital service (no Ku-band).
Here is additional satellite information you may find helpful:
Digital Satellite C-Band Downlink for continental North America, Alaska and Hawaii:
Uplink provider = Americom
Satellite = AMC 3
Transponder = 15C
87 Degrees West
Downlink Frequency: 4000 Mhz
Polarity: Horizontal
FEC = 3/4
Data Rate r= 38.860 MHz
Symbol = 28.1115 Ms/s
Transmission = DVB
"Public Channel" Programming:
SD Program = 101 (HQ1)
Video PID = 111
MPEG I Layer II Audio PID = 114
AC-3 PID = 115
"Education Channel" Programming:
SD Program = 102 (HQ2)
Video PID = 121
MPEG I Layer II Audio PID = 124
AC-3 Audio PID = 125
"Media Channel" Programming:
SD Program = 103 (HQ3)
Video PID = 1031
MPEG I Layer II Audio PID = 1034
AC-3 Audio PID = 1035
NASA TV Occasional HD Programming:
HD Program = 105
Video PID = 82
MPEG-1 Layer II Audio PID =83
AC-3 Audio PID = 238
NASA TV (Live Interactive Media Outlet – LIMO Channel)
Digital Satellite C-Band Downlink for continental North America, Alaska and Hawaii:
Uplink provider = Americom
Satellite = AMC 3
Transponder = 9 C
Orbital Position = 87 Degrees West
Transmission Format = DVB-S, 4:2:0
Downlink Frequency: 3865.5 Mhz
Downlink Polarity: Horizontal
FEC = 3/4
Data Rate = 6.0 Mbps
Symbol rate = 4.3404 Msps
NOTES:
1. PCR (program clock reference) information is included within the Video PID by the Harmonic Encoders used by NASA TV
2. PMT (Transport Stream Program Map Table) settings are as follows:
Program = 101 (HQ1) = 0110 decimal = 0x006E
Program = 102 (HQ2) = 0120 decimal = 0x0078
Program = 103 (HQ3) = 1030 decimal = 0x0406
A 'C Band' size satellite dish is needed to receive multi-channel NASA TV. It may also be necessary to modify some of your dish hardware, such as LNBs, to optimize performance. LNB's that are "phase locked" are recommended, though many models of "non-phase locked" LNB's should work. Check with your particular manufacturer for recommendations. NASA TV will not be making vendor specific recommendations and is not responsible for providing any downlink infrastructure.
LNB Recommended Minimum Specifications:
Frequency Stability: › /- 1.0 MHz
SSB Phase Noise:
Offset dBc/Hz
| Offset | dBc/Hz |
| 1 kHz | -60 |
| 10 kHz | -75 |
| 100 kHz | -85 |
Voltage: 15 to 24 VDC
Current: 100 to 250 ma.
NASA TV provides only C-band digital service (no Ku-band).
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I'm a member of the media and want to participate in live shot interviews, receive Video File news feeds, press conferences and other media updates. What does my news organization need?
Media content, such as live shot interviews and Video File feeds, are offered on its own NASA TV Media Channel with an "addressable" IRD capability. With new "store-and-forward" capable IRDs, NASA content can be "pushed" to your IRD's hard drive for playback and use at your convenience. No need to monitor NASA TV at a specific time each day with your tapes rolling. For technical specifications and pricing, visit
http://www.nasadigitaltv.com.
Digital NASA TV is on satellite AMC 3, Transponder 15C.
NASA TV provides only C-band digital service (no Ku-band).
Here is additional satellite information you may find helpful:
Digital Satellite C-Band Downlink for continental North America, Alaska and Hawaii:
Uplink provider = Americom
Satellite = AMC 3
Transponder = 15C
87 Degrees West
Downlink Frequency: 4000 Mhz
Polarity: Horizontal
FEC = 3/4
Data Rate r= 38.860 MHz
Symbol = 28.1115 Ms/s
Transmission = DVB
"Public Channel" Programming:
SD Program = 101 (HQ1)
Video PID = 111
MPEG I Layer II Audio PID = 114
AC-3 PID = 115
"Education Channel" Programming:
SD Program = 102 (HQ2)
Video PID = 121
MPEG I Layer II Audio PID = 124
AC-3 Audio PID = 125
"Media Channel" Programming:
SD Program = 103 (HQ3)
Video PID = 1031
MPEG I Layer II Audio PID = 1034
AC-3 Audio PID = 1035
NASA TV Occasional HD Programming:
HD Program = 105
Video PID = 82
MPEG-1 Layer II Audio PID =83
AC-3 Audio PID = 238
NASA TV (Live Interactive Media Outlet – LIMO Channel)
Digital Satellite C-Band Downlink for continental North America, Alaska and Hawaii:
Uplink provider = Americom
Satellite = AMC 3
Transponder = 9 C
Orbital Position = 87 Degrees West
Transmission Format = DVB-S, 4:2:0
Downlink Frequency: 3865.5 Mhz
Downlink Polarity: Horizontal
FEC = 3/4
Data Rate = 6.0 Mbps
Symbol rate = 4.3404 Msps
NOTES:
1. PCR (program clock reference) information is included within the Video PID by the Harmonic Encoders used by NASA TV
2. PMT (Transport Stream Program Map Table) settings are as follows:
Program = 101 (HQ1) = 0110 decimal = 0x006E
Program = 102 (HQ2) = 0120 decimal = 0x0078
Program = 103 (HQ3) = 1030 decimal = 0x0406
A 'C Band' size satellite dish is needed to receive multi-channel NASA TV. It may also be necessary to modify some of your dish hardware, such as LNBs, to optimize performance. LNB's that are "phase locked" are recommended, though many models of "non-phase locked" LNB's should work. Check with your particular manufacturer for recommendations. NASA TV will not be making vendor specific recommendations and is not responsible for providing any downlink infrastructure.
LNB Recommended Minimum Specifications:
Frequency Stability: › /- 1.0 MHz
SSB Phase Noise:
Offset dBc/Hz
| Offset | dBc/Hz |
| 1 kHz | -60 |
| 10 kHz | -75 |
| 100 kHz | -85 |
Voltage: 15 to 24 VDC
Current: 100 to 250 ma.
NASA TV provides only C-band digital service (no Ku-band).
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
"Addressable" – A type of IRD (Integrated Receiver Decoder) that can not only receive "free to air" digital TV signals but can also receive and store specially encrypted programming for rebroadcast.
DVB – Digital video broadcast.
FEC – Forward Error Correction
"Free to Air" – A TV channel that local cable and satellite service providers are "free to air" at no cost. Your basic, commercial "off-the-shelf" IRD can tune a "free to air" digital TV channel, provided you have a C-Band-size satellite receiving dish.
IRD - Integrated Receiver Decoder, a piece of equipment used to tune a digital TV signal.
LNB – Low Noise Block/Converter.
NTSC – National Television System Committee. The group responsible for setting the television and video standard used in the United States. NTSC also refers to the standard itself. (In Europe and elsewhere, PAL and SECAM are the dominant standards.)
PID – Program Identifier
TBD – To Be Determined.
NASA will update this Web page as new information becomes available.
Questions? Concerns? E-mail
public-inquiries@hq.nasa.gov.
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