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Tracking and Data Relay Satellites

NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellites, or TDRS, provide communications services to many NASA spacecraft. These satellites form a global constellation capable of relaying data between spacecraft and ground stations on Earth.

Active Mission

what

Legacy Communications

What's Next

Embracing Commercial Relay

Who

NASA's SCaN Program

The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) constellation consists of a number of satellites in geosynchronous orbit distributed over the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. These satellites provide near-continuous information relay services to more than 25 space missions, including the Hubble Space Telescope, the International Space Station, and many of our Earth-observing missions.

Mission Type

Tracking and Data Relay Satellites

managed by

Goddard Space Flight Center

number of satellites

7

status

Ongoing

Near Space Network

Tracking and Data Relay Satellites

The TDRS fleet comprises the space segment of the government-owned portion of the Near Space Network. NASA’s TDRS can provide near-constant communication relay links between its ground facilities (located in White Sands, New Mexico and Guam) and orbiting satellites below geosynchronous orbit.

NASA’s TDRS fleet keeps the Hubble Telescope connected to Earth, allowing scientists to receive new discoveries in real time. Hubble is only one of many spacecraft that use TDRS to send and receive data.

NASA/Dave Ryan

TDRS Resources

TDRS Fact Sheet

Discover more about NASA's fleet of TDRS spacecraft.

sts_6_tdrs_deployed_illustration

TDRS Rates

Review TDRS reimbursable rates for Fiscal Year 2024.

Build Your Own TDRS Activity Page 1

Learning Resources

Explore interactive games, hands-on activities, lesson plans, and other downloadable content about TDRS.

Commercial Services

Learn about the commercialization efforts that are evolving space communications.

Latest News

Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS)

NASA Seeks Commercial Feedback on Space Communication Solutions

Embracing Commercial Relay Services

NASA to Embrace Commercial Sector, Fly Out Legacy Relay Fleet

How NASA Astronauts Vote from Space Aboard International Space Station

Space Communications Technology

Reliable space communications are critical to every NASA mission. The SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation) Program creates and tests the cutting-edge technology that send and receive spacecraft commands, never-before-seen images, and scientific data every day.

A graphic showing the International Space Station floating above the Earth’s surface in front of a blue starry background. A red beam of light is shown coming out of the space station to represent laser communications. The beam of light connects to a second spacecraft, LCRD, located in the upper right side of the image. A second red beam is seen coming out of the LCRD, connecting to Earth below.

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Missions

International Space Station

Laser Communications

Goddard Space Flight Center