General Dynamics has provided the critical communications link between Earth and space since the mid-1950s. In all, General Dynamics has produced more than 400 space transponders, including more than 150 Deep Space, Near Earth and Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) transponders and transceivers for NASA missions. Examples include the Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977, which carries two Deep Space Transponders that are still functioning, and the two first generation TDRSS user transponders flying on the Hubble Space Telescope that continue to operate trouble free after more than 19 years of service in space.
Satnews Daily
June 25th, 2009
Without GD SATCOM, The LRO's Expected Investigative Successes Would Remain Rather Hushed
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is providing the communications link for NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission that was launched on June 18th, 2009.
The mission will use General Dynamics-made transceivers to communicate with ground control as the orbiter maps and studies the lunar environment. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). LRO is en route to the moon atop an Atlas V rocket launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Once in orbit, LRO will turn its suite of instruments towards the Moon for thorough studies. The spacecraft will also look for potential landing sites for astronauts. The LRO mission will use General Dynamics' Advanced Multi-Mode Transceivers that have been modified specifically for this mission. The transceivers will send health and status updates and receive command instructions from NASA. LRO will communicate at S-band frequencies through the NASA Ground Network and Deep Space Network.
General Dynamics has provided the critical communications link between Earth and space since the mid-1950s. In all, General Dynamics has produced more than 400 space transponders, including more than 150 Deep Space, Near Earth and Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) transponders and transceivers for NASA missions. Examples include the Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977, which carries two Deep Space Transponders that are still functioning, and the two first generation TDRSS user transponders flying on the Hubble Space Telescope that continue to operate trouble free after more than 19 years of service in space.
General Dynamics has provided the critical communications link between Earth and space since the mid-1950s. In all, General Dynamics has produced more than 400 space transponders, including more than 150 Deep Space, Near Earth and Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) transponders and transceivers for NASA missions. Examples include the Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977, which carries two Deep Space Transponders that are still functioning, and the two first generation TDRSS user transponders flying on the Hubble Space Telescope that continue to operate trouble free after more than 19 years of service in space.