NASAが民間セクターへの新たな賭けである「The Space Relayers」が動き始めている
https://spacenews.com/the-space-relayers-nasas-latest-bet-on-the-private-sector-is-starting-to-take-shape/

NASAは、TDRSを置き換えるための商業衛星リレーサービスを推進中。6社が合計15億ドルを投資し、実証サービスを提供する。ロケット部門の企業らが光リンクやRFを活用する。 #NASA #TDRS #衛星リレー

#NASA uses the #Telemetry and Data Relay #Satellite #System (#TDRS or #TDRSS) to maintain contact with its fleet of Earth-orbiting #spacecraft, including the #ISS.
#TDRSK was built by #Boeing and launched on an Atlas V #rocket and became #TDRS11 once in #orbit.
This #model was provided for the press at #KSC.

A United Launch Alliance #Atlas V #rocket sits on #pad LC-41, waiting to launch a communications #satellite for #NASA. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System allows NASA to maintain near-constant contact with its Earth-orbiting #spacecraft, including the Space Shuttle and International Space Station, and Antarctica, as well as #LaunchVehicles during ascent.
The Mobile Launch Platform’s umbilical towers obscure the brightly-lit rocket.
The satellited being launched is #TDRS-K, renamed TDRS-11 once operational.
#TDRSS, #UnitedLaunchAlliance, #ULA, #AtlasV, #AtlasV, #AtlasRocket, #Photography, #Photograph, #Photo,
https://heronfox.pixels.com/featured/atlas-v-with-tdrs-k-waiting-for-launch-heron-and-fox.html

#TDRS follow on (?): "#NASA selects satellite-based space launch #tracking and command systems from #Inmarsat": https://www.inmarsat.com/en/news/latest-news/government/2022/nasa-selects-inmarsat-satellite-based-space-launch-tracking-and-command-system.html