Communicating and Navigating with Missions

Technology

Reinventing the Clock: NASA’s New Tech for Space Timekeeping

Here on Earth, it might not matter if your wristwatch runs a few seconds slow. But crucial spacecraft functions need accuracy down to one billionth of a second or less. Navigating with GPS, for example, relies on precise timing signals from satellites to pinpoint locations.

Posted September 18, 2024

Near Space Network

Space Operations Mission Directorate

NASA Selects Lunar Relay Contractor for Near Space Network Services

NASA has awarded a contract to Intuitive Machines, LLC of Houston, to support the agency’s lunar relay systems as part of the Near Space Network, operated by the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Posted September 17, 2024

Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

Astrophysics

Dark Energy

Dark Matter

Exoplanets

Goddard Technology

Science & Research

Technology

The Universe

NASA Completes Spacecraft to Transport, Support Roman Space Telescope

The spacecraft bus that will deliver NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to its orbit and enable it to function once there is now complete after years of construction, installation, and testing.

Posted September 17, 2024

Former Space Communications, Navigation Interns Pioneer NASA’s Future

For over a decade, NASA’s SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation) Internship Project alumni have played important roles in extending the agency’s long-term vision for exploration.

Posted July 25, 2024

Artemis

Ground Antenna Trio to Give NASA’s Artemis Campaign ‘LEGS’ to Stand On

Background NASA’s LEGS can do more than help Earthlings move about the planet. Three Lunar Exploration Ground Sites, or LEGS, will enhance the Near Space Network’s communications services and support of NASA’s Artemis campaign.

Posted July 22, 2024

Earth Science

PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem)

Space Operations Mission Directorate

NASA’s Near Space Network Enables PACE Climate Mission to ‘Phone Home’

The PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission has delivered its first operational data back to researchers, a feat made possible in part by innovative, data-storing technology from NASA’s Near Space Network, which introduced two key enhancements for PACE and other upcoming science missions.

Posted April 17, 2024

Artemis

Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS)

Technology

How NASA Uses Simple Technology to Track Lunar Missions

NASA is using a simple but effective technology called Laser Retroreflective Arrays (LRAs) to determine the locations of lunar landers more accurately. They will be attached to most of the landers from United States companies as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Service (CLPS) initiative.

Posted February 13, 2024

General

Wideband Technology

Overview As NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) constellation approaches retirement, partnerships with commercial industry will play a critical role in the development of future space communications and navigation architecture.

Posted January 18, 2024

Glenn Research Center

Artemis 2

Doing Business with NASA

Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle

Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business