TDRS-K Video File

  • Released Wednesday, January 30, 2013
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NASA is preparing to launch the first in a series of three third generation advanced Tracking and Data Relay Satellites, known as TDRS-K. This latest addition to the fleet of seven will augment a space communications network that provides the critical path for high data-rate communication to the International Space Station, Hubble Space Telescope, past shuttle missions and a host of other spacecraft.

It has been 10 years since NASA last launched a TDRS. This launch is the beginning of a welcome replenishment to the space network, which has served numerous national and international space missions since 1983.

TDRS-K Prelaunch News Conference

On January 30th, 2013, TDRS-K was launched into orbit aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

TDRS-K Enters the Thermal Vacuum Chamber

TDRS-K Single Access Antenna Installation

TDRS-K Single Access Antenna Stow

TDRS-K in Vibration Test

TDRS-K in the Anechoic Chamber

TDRS-K Solar Array Deployment

A close up animation of an Atlas-5 rocket on the launch pad.

An animation looking up at an Atlas-5 rocket as it launches.

An wide view animation of an Atlas-5 rocket on the launch pad as it launches.

A wide view animation showing the Atlas-5 rocket soaring through the atmosphere.

An animation showing the Atlas-5 rocket separation of the 1st stage.

Animation showing the fairing separate to reveal the TDRS-K spacecraft.

An Animation showing the TDRS-K separate from the 2nd stage Centuar engine.

An animation showing the TDRS-K spacecraft boosting itself to geosynchronous orbit.

A sequence of the TDRS-K deployment.

An animation showing the TDRS-K spacecraft with the Earth in the background.

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and The Boeing Company

This page was originally published on Wednesday, January 30, 2013.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 1:52 PM EDT.

Missions

This page is related to the following missions:

Tapes

The media on this page originally appeared on the following tapes:
  • TDRS: Continuing The Fleet (ID: 2013018)
    Monday, January 28, 2013 at 5:00AM
    Produced by - Werner Benger (NASA)