Satellite Used in Polar Research Enters Retirement
28.06.2010 - Atmosphere & Space, Bi-polar
NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) 1, which had been reassigned to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and its U.S. Antarctic Program partners in 1998 to perform scientific, educational, and operational endeavors, will be retired. The satellite transmitted the first Internet connection and live webcast from the North Pole, relayed the first phone call that connected the South Pole and the North Pole, and supported the first global television broadcast from the South Pole Station.
Through an uplink/downlink station for TDRS-1 installed near the geographic South Pole, the terminal gave scientists at NSF's Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station year-round ability to return high volumes of science research data daily to researchers worldwide. The satellite was also instrumental in supporting innovative astronomy and astrophysics research programs at the South Pole Station.
Crucial in science data transfers and communications, the satellite played a key role in medical emergencies as well: in 1999 and 2002. On both occasions, TDRS-1's high-speed connectivity allowed station personnel to conduct telemedicine conferences, and it also assisted doctors in the US guide their colleagues in Antarctica during the intervention.
TDRS-1 reached its final destination on June 13th, 2010. Once the final orbit was established and the remaining fuel was removed to prevent potential accidents, NASA shut down the satellite on June 27th.
