The TLDR:
While most humans have an endless number of modes of quick and effective forms of communications, astronauts aboard the international space station have a limited number of complex reliable instruments to communicate back to Earth. Even uncontrollable environmental factors, such as solar radiation, can inhibit effective communication between Earth and astronauts abroad the space station. Through technological advancements, such as satellites and lasers, astronauts are able to maintain constant communications with those of us on Earth.
Article’s Fun Fact: The latency between Earth and Mars is around 24 minutes!
How Satellites Help in Communications
Satellites sharing the space above Earth with the International Space station serve as the first step in getting information from astronauts to their colleagues on the ground. Information is transmitted from the space station to one of the many Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) satellites in Earth’s orbit.
Once a TDRS satellite receives information from the ISS, the satellite transmits the data back down to Earth, with one of the many ground stations receiving data. NASA and partnering agencies place large ground antennas across all continents–even antarctica–to allow for constant contact.
The (Newer) Laser Communication Systems
Although satellite communication has served an effective mode of communication for years, demands for greater technology have slowly developed. Each year, the space station’s experiments grow in complexity, resulting in an increased need for faster communication and the ability to transmit more data at a higher rate.
In response to these issues, a newer experimental laser technology has taken the forefront in communication to Earth. In recent years, NASA has developed the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD). This new system features increases in bandwidth compared to satellite communications, granting faster and more streamlined communication down to Earth.
When Things Don’t Go According to Plan
Sometimes the ISS has unexpected communication issues that prevent streamlined communication back down to Earth (or vice versa!) During a computer upgrade in 2013, an unexpected error caused the well-known Mission Control in Houston, Texas to lose contact with the space station. In 2023, a power outage at mission control resulted in communication loss between Earth and Mission Control.
While these incidents seem perilous, astronauts and their Earthly counterparts are prepared and trained to handle unforeseen communication situations.
While protocols aren’t extensively published, there are several known backup systems, including Russian communication equipment that operate on their own independent systems, VHF radio, and on-board procedures that are independent of ground control station input.
Ham Radio in Space
NASA’s mission statement is “pioneering the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research.” While a majority of their day entails these endeavors, astronauts take time to encourage science and technology for youth across the world–even from space.
Introduced in 1983, the ISS incorporated amateur radio as a form of communication. It quickly evolved into an effective way to encourage school students to experiment with science, technology, and space. In the forty years since its inception, the ARISS-USA organization has helped over a million students be involved in radio communications with astronauts.
A Cool Thing You Can Do
Check out the ARISS website to discover how you can get involved and help students gain valuable experience with science and space.
