Near Space Network
The Near Space Network provides missions within one million miles of Earth with robust communications services. Using a blend of government and commercial assets, the network supports science, human spaceflight, and technology demonstration missions exploring our planet and the solar system. This data is gathered through global direct-to-Earth antennas systems and a fleet of relay satellites.
Where is the NSN located?
The Near Space Network is comprised of ground stations across the globe and our Tracking Data and Relay Satellite system in geosynchronous orbit.
Our ground stations provide Direct-to-Earth (DTE) communications while TDRS satellites provide near continuous bent pipe information relay services to over 25 missions like the Hubble Space Telescope, the International Space Station and many of our Earth-observing missions like Global Precipitation Measurement, Terra and Aqua.
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Tracking Data and Relay Satellites
TDRS, or the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite system, is a constellation of geosynchronous satellites over the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans
The TDRS constellation provides near-continuous relay services to over 25 missions including the Hubble Space Telescope, the International Space Station, and many of NASA’s Earth-observing missions such as Terra and Aqua.
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NSN Services and Scheduling
Human space exploration helps to address fundamental questions about our place in the Universe and the history of our solar system.
NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program offers a comprehensive set of standard services based upon its charter to provide communications and navigation services over the full operational life cycle of a mission from launch to de-orbit. The NSN fulfills the essential needs of near-space user missions, empowering them with mission-critical communications and navigation services, and enabling the transmission of science and exploration data from space to Earth.
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Commercialization
NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program seeks to engage commercial services for NASA’s missions, rather than continuing to build, maintain, and operate its own systems.
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SCaN Now
SCaN Now displays real time communication links between NASA spacecraft and the Near Space Network ground stations and TDRS satellites. You can explore which NSN facilities are talking with our spacecraft right now!
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NASA’s Near Space Network
NASA’s Near Space Network delivers critical communications and navigation services to missions observing the Earth, studying the Sun, and exploring the Moon and beyond.
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