A Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) is a type of communications satellite that forms part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) used by NASA and other United States government agencies for communications to and from independent "User Platforms" such as satellites, balloons, aircraft, and the International Space Station. This system was designed to replace a pre-existing worldwide network of ground stations that had supported all of NASA's manned flight missions and unmanned satellites in low-Earth orbits. The primary system design goal was to increase the amount of time that these spacecraft were in communication with the ground and improve the amount of data that could be transferred. These TDRSS satellites are all designed and built to be launched to and function in geosynchronous orbit, 35,786 kilometres (22,236 mi) above the surface of the Earth.
The first seven TDRSS satellites were built by the TRW corporation. The three later versions have been manufactured by the Boeing corporation's Satellite Systems division. Ten satellites have been launched; however, one was destroyed in a launch failure (the Challenger disaster). TDRS-1 was decommissioned in October 2009. TDRS-4 was decommissioned in December 2011. Seven TDRSS satellites are still in service. All of the TDRSS satellites have been managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The contract for TDRS versions L & K was awarded to Boeing on December 20, 2007. On November 30, 2011, NASA announced the decision to order an additional third-generation TDRS satellite, TDRS M.
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TDRS is deployed on STS-54 with IUS booster.
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First Generation TDRS.
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Second Generation TDRS.
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TDRS-G at Kennedy Space Center.
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TDRS-K prior to launch at Kennedy Space Center.
Read more about Tracking And Data Relay Satellite: Operations, TDRSS Ground Terminals, Design, Different Versions of The TDRS
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