Geostationary
TDRS 13
Data Relay · NASA
Right now
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The most recent addition to NASA's space communications backbone. TDRS-13 provides continuous relay capability for human spaceflight and robotic science missions from a fixed geostationary position. As the ISS approaches retirement, TDRS will become critical for supporting the commercial space stations planned to replace it, and TDRS-13 will be among the newest assets supporting that transition.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Geostationaryappears to hang motionless over one spot on the equator
- Altitude
- 22,207–22,277 mi (35,738–35,851 km)
- Inclination
- 3.5°
- One orbit
- 23.9 hoursabout one orbit a day
- NORAD ID
- 42915
- Int’l designator
- 2017-047A
- Launched
- 2017
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.