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NARRATOR: NASA will soon add a new piece to its workhorse network of communications satellites with the launch
of the TDRS-K spacecraft aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.
TDRS is short for Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, and it continues to make a huge difference in the way
astronauts and their spacecraft communicate with ground controllers. The first TDRS launched into orbit almost
30 years ago when STS-6 astronauts deployed TDRS-1 from the space shuttle in April 1983.
Before NASA launched its orbiting TDRS network, communications with spacecraft were sporadic, occurring only
when the spacecraft passed near a ground station's antennas.
With the space network in place, astronauts and ground controllers can talk to each other almost continuously.
Just as important during this age of research in space, the TDRS satellites can convey round-the-clock
data from automated experiments on the International Space Station to eager scientists looking for results.
In addition, all of NASA's scientific spacecraft are built with communication gear that's compatible with the
TDRS constellation so they can relay their observations to researchers. The Hubble Space Telescope images,
along with all those taken by Earth-observation spacecraft in low-Earth orbit, go through a TDRS satellite
before ground controllers and scientists receive them.
Even a rocket ascending through the atmosphere during launch sends its telemetry through the TDRS network.
This saves NASA the sometimes costly burden of having to maintain an array of ground stations, ships and
airplanes to communicate with a rocket in flight.
The spacecraft launching from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station will be the eleventh launched,
but the first in about 10 years. It is also the first of the third-generation TDRS satellites.
A United Launch Alliance rocket was chosen for this mission several years ago. Stacked at Launch Complex 41
at the Cape, the Altas V is expected to add to its legacy as a strong and reliable booster.
Tim Dunn, NASA Launch Director: We chose Atlas V as the ideal launch service for the TDRS-K mission because
they have the 4-meter payload fairing which is the ideal size requirement for TDRS-K and also the performance
capability of the 401 version of an Atlas V rocket with no solid rocket motors is ideally suited for the
7,000-pound mass of TDRS satellite going to geosynchronous orbit.
NARRATOR: The TDRS satellite's solar arrays and signature communications antennas are
folded tightly for launch. Once safely in space, the TDRS will deploy its antennas and solar arrays
and begin a 3-month series of tests and callibration.
Diana Calero, NASA Mission Manager: Their antennas are furled and they have a margin, a certain amount
of days that they can stay furled. If they pass that margin, then the antenna when they're deployed they
can actually have a degradation in space and so it was really challenging trying to schedule the
shipping of the spacecraft with the launch date. It was very dynamic.
NARRATOR: Engineers also track the rocket's progress closely and had to perform more analysis after an
engine similar to that used on the Atlas V's Centaur upper stage suffered an issue during a launch
last year on a different rocket. The launch team does not expect a similar complication with the TDRS-K mission.
Tim Dunn: Our engineers and analysts from Launch Services Program, working alongside
United Launch Alliance's engineers, we've been methodically reviewing data and been working very
closely on flight clearance for the TDRS-K mission, so that's been our biggest challenge to date.
NARRATOR: The spacecraft will operate high above the planet in an orbit whose speed matches the rotation
of the Earth exactly, allowing the satellite to appear to hover over the planet.
From there, it can look down on a vast portion of the planet and offer direct communication between
the International Space Station, numerous NASA satellites orbiting Earth, and the ground stations.
Tim Dunn: All of the communications coming out of space station goes through the TDRS network,
is downlinked to the Earth through TDRS satellites so we're looking forward to add to that capability
and add to the robust communications capability for NASA.
NARRATOR: Though they provide a critical element for modern life on Earth,
communications satellites are sometimes overlooked when it comes to the importance of spacecraft.
Diana Calero: I think a lot of people maybe take it for granted, or they don't realize or understand
how many communications satellites it takes or maybe the work it takes to make the progress we have
here on Earth with all the technology we have out in space.
NARRATOR: Beyond its utility as a communications hub, the TDRS-K satellite, like all missions,
makes a special place in the memory of the launch team sending it into orbit.
Diana Calero: Every mission's got its own uniqueness, I mean, they're all unique, nothing is
ever easy. When we're going down to launch I think is the most exciting. Going into terminal count.
That last hold is always the most exciting. That's where the anxiety builds and you're just ready to go,
until it launches. That's the best part of the whole launch day.