Spectrum
Every NASA missions requires use of the electromagnetic spectrum to communicate with our spacecraft and send vital data back to Earth. NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program provides spectrum management on behalf of NASA at both the national and international stages, enabling secure and efficient communication networks for NASA.
Spectrum Usage
NASA depends on radio waves to achieve its mission.
The video of Buzz Aldrin setting foot on the Moon. Scientific data modeling Earth’s weather and climate. The Mission Control Center guiding astronauts through spacewalk procedures. Virtually every endeavor by the agency requires communications — the transfer of data via the radio frequency spectrum.
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Spectrum Management & Planning
All users share the spectrum.
NASA missions rely on careful spectrum management and planning to enable radio frequency (RF) spectrum applications, including reliable communication, navigation, and remote sensing. NASA’s spectrum professionals work with NASA missions, projects, and programs to secure access to the spectrum they need to meet their objectives. They also work to protect NASA’s spectrum use from interference that could compromise the safety of human spaceflight activities or degrade the quality of scientific data, both now and in the future.
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Spectrum Collaboration
Optimal spectrum sharing requires global collaboration.
NASA’s spectrum management team works to reduce the threat of harmful interference through technical and operational coordination with other relevant spectrum users. They also actively collaborate on technical studies and regulatory activities to safeguard NASA’s current and future objectives for the benefit of all.
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