What is First Generation Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRSS)?

Space 
1 Answer
Can you answer this question?
Aug 16, 2023

The First Generation Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRSS) possess a range of impressive capabilities designed to support seamless communication in space. Its Multiple Access Antenna is equipped with 30 elements, with 12 duplexed for transmit and 30 for receive operations. It facilitates S-band communications with circular polarization in the Left Hand Circular (LHC) orientation. The antenna has ± 13° conical field-of-view, enabling efficient space-to-ground link communications.

The TDRSS features a Space-to-Ground Link Antenna, equipped with a 2.0-meter Ku-band antenna. The antenna is crucial for establishing communication with the White Sands Complex (WSC)/Guam Remote Ground Terminal (GRGT), facilitating uplink and downlink operations. The Space-to-Ground Link Antenna utilizes perpendicular, linear polarization to ensure reliable and robust data transmission.

The satellite is equipped with two Solar Panels that efficiently harness solar energy to power its operations in space. It has two Single Access Antennas capable of dual-frequency communications, supporting both S-band and Ku-band transmissions. These antennas offer circular polarization options in either Left Hand Circular (LHC) or Right Hand Circular (RHC) orientations. Their ± 22° E-W and ± 28° N-S rectangular field-of-view enhance communication coverage, enabling communication with a wide range of ground stations. The TDRSS is equipped with an Omni Antenna dedicated to S-band Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C) functions. The antenna utilizes Left Hand Circular (LHC) polarization to facilitate reliable data exchange and command execution in all directions.

The First Generation TDRSS stands as a remarkable feat in space communication technology, employing an array of sophisticated antennas and capabilities to enable continuous and efficient communication between spacecraft and ground stations. Its circular polarization, wide field-of-view, and multi-frequency support empower it to meet the diverse needs of space missions, space explorations, and scientific research.

Click here to learn more about TDRSS.

TagsSpace

Space Missions - A list of all Space Missions

esa

Name Date
Altius 01 May, 2025
Hera 01 Oct, 2024
Arctic Weather Satellite 01 Jun, 2024
EarthCARE 29 May, 2024
Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS) 01 Mar, 2024
MTG Series 13 Dec, 2022
Eutelsat Quantum 30 Jul, 2021
Sentinel 6 21 Nov, 2020
OPS-SAT 18 Dec, 2019
Cheops 18 Dec, 2019

isro

Name Date
INSAT-3DS 17 Feb, 2024
XPoSat 01 Jan, 2024
Aditya-L1 02 Sep, 2023
DS-SAR 30 Jul, 2023
Chandrayaan-3 14 Jul, 2023
NVS-01 29 May, 2023
TeLEOS-2 22 Apr, 2023
OneWeb India-2 26 Mar, 2023
EOS-07 10 Feb, 2023
EOS-06 26 Nov, 2022

jaxa

Name Date
VEP-4 17 Feb, 2024
TIRSAT 17 Feb, 2024
CE-SAT 1E 17 Feb, 2024
XRISM 07 Sep, 2023
SLIM 07 Sep, 2023
ALOS-3 07 Mar, 2023
ISTD-3 07 Oct, 2022
JDRS 1 29 Nov, 2020
HTV9 21 May, 2020
IGS-Optical 7 09 Feb, 2020

nasa

Name Date
NEO Surveyor 01 Jun, 2028
Libera 01 Dec, 2027
Artemis III 30 Sep, 2026
Artemis II 30 Sep, 2025
Europa Clipper 10 Oct, 2024
SpaceX CRS-29 09 Nov, 2023
Psyche 13 Oct, 2023
DSOC 13 Oct, 2023
Psyche Asteroid 05 Oct, 2023
Expedition 70 27 Sep, 2023