Space to Earth Communication: How Do Astronauts Stay Connected? Discover the Tech Behind It

Due to scientific and technological development, communication from space to earth has now become possible. Space agencies like NASA have used the latest technologies for space communication.

New Delhi: Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has created history by reaching the International Space Station (ISS). Four other astronauts were also with him on this historic journey. Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked to Shubhanshu Shukla about his experience of traveling in space.

Shubhanshu told the Prime Minister that there is a huge difference between earth and space, especially the challenges faced in sleeping there. He said, India is moving forward very fast, and the more our minds remain calm, the sooner we will be able to understand things, reports Dynamite News correspondent.

The question of communication between space and Earth

With the stepping of humans into space, the biggest question related to communication has emerged. How is communication done from Earth in space without a mobile tower? This question came to the minds of many people. Let's know the answer to this question.

How does communication happen in space?

Due to the vacuum in space, any communication is very difficult. There are neither internet wires nor cables laid, yet how is communication from space to earth possible? The answer to this question is hidden in the constant changes made by science. A team of scientists is always present on the International Space Station (ISS), and they maintain contact with space agencies located on Earth. With the help of satellites, pictures and data are sent from space to earth, and in the same way, contact is established with the space station.

Technical challenges of communication between space and Earth

Communication from space to Earth is not as simple as we think. This task is handled by NASA's Space Communication and Navigation System (SCaN). Transmitter-Network-Receiver technology is used in this network. The transmitter converts the message into code and sends it through the network, while the receiver decodes it. But this process is not that easy. Aircrafts often fly at a speed of hundreds of kilometers per hour, and communicating with them is very challenging.

Earth-to-Space Contact

To solve this problem, NASA has installed large antennas on all seven continents of the earth. These antennas are 230 feet long, and due to their high frequency, communication can be done up to 200 crore miles. These antennas have been selected at such places from where communication between spacecraft and ground stations can be easily established. Apart from this, NASA also has relay satellites, which facilitate communication between space and Earth. In the future, NASA is working on using infrared laser technology, which will make communication from space to Earth even easier.