The NASA Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system, is a vital space-based communication network that supports the continuous flow of data between Earth and spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO). Launched in the 1980s and continually upgraded, the TDRS system consists of a fleet of geostationary satellites strategically positioned in space.
TDRS provides uninterrupted and reliable communication links for a wide range of NASA missions, including human spaceflight, Earth observation, planetary exploration, and astrophysical research. These satellites facilitate the transfer of scientific data, voice, and video transmissions between spacecraft and ground stations, ensuring seamless and real-time communication with astronauts aboard the International Space Station and robotic missions throughout the solar system.
