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In-Flight Education Downlinks

Connect your students with astronauts aboard the space station for a live question-and-answer session about living and working in space.

A group of students watching an in-flight downlink.

Watch Past Downlinks

View a playlist of all our previous Downlinks.

View Downlink Schedule

Check out the schedule of upcoming Downlinks.

Apply for a Downlink

This opportunity is available to both formal and informal U.S.-based education organizations.

Latest Downlink News and Features

NASA, International Astronauts to Speak with Students in Two States

Georgia, Texas Students to Hear from NASA Astronauts Aboard Station

Oklahoma, Texas Students to Hear from NASA Astronauts Aboard Station

Louisiana Students to Hear from NASA Astronauts Aboard Space Station

STEM Lessons From Space

STEMonstrations

Have you ever wondered what kind of STEM activities occur on the International Space Station? Follow astronauts as they demonstrate STEM concepts such as Newton’s Laws of Motion, surface tension, advances in technology and more.

Discover More Topics From NASA

TDRS-M

Communicating With Space

Astronauts communicate with Earth by sending data through a set of satellites to antennas on the ground.

Space Communications and Navigation

NASA's Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program sponsors various educational programs, projects, and travelling exhibits.

ISS over the earth

How Do Astronauts Stay In Touch with Earth?

Mission Control is home to many different players in many different positions that support the astronauts while they're out on the field. Communication is important, but how exactly do they stay in touch?

The home screen of the Build Your Own TDRS Game, showing the game title against a night sky

Build a Communications Satellite

Play this game to build a satellite that helps send information from other spacecraft to Earth.

A student at Lamar Elementary School in Greenville, Texas, proudly talks to an astronaut in space.

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station

ARISS lets students worldwide use radio science technology to experience the excitement of talking directly with crew members of the International Space Station.