With three TDRS satellites in orbit-the two newest birds are operational and the one launched in 1983 is an in-orbit spare-the TDRS system will be able to provide communications for the shuttle approximately 80 to 90 percent of the time it is in orbit, according to a NASA spokesman. TDRS also is used to communicate with 19 other satellites in low-earth orbit. With Landsat, for example, TDRS provides uninterrupted real-time communications, eliminating the need for Landsat to store and transmit data just once a day. Command and control data also is transmitted through TDRS for user satellites in low-earth orbit.
Triumph for TDRS (tracking and data relay satellite)
Erfolg fuer TDRS (Verfolgungs- und Datenuebertragungssatellit)
Satellite Communications ; 13 , 5 ; 25-28
1989
Article (Journal)
English