I’m almost a week late on this one, but it’s still worth covering: The third, and final of the 3 Third-Generation Tracking and Data Relay Satellites, known as TDRS, was successfully launched on Friday, August 18th, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 41.
The TDRS satellite system is used for high-bandwith data and communications services in support of varying space missions – originally built with a focus on supporting the Space Shuttle program, they have evolved as our usage of space has over the past nearly 40 years of the TDRS program to support the International Space Station and many other unmanned space missions.
With TDRS-M in orbit, the TDRS constellation is back up to full capability, with upgrades, and should well be capable of supporting all planned American space missions, with communications capability to spare.
As always, I try to provide launch footage, and TDRS-M is no exception. I’ll provide one video here, and more in another upcoming article. Enjoy!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TDRS-M