Is There Satellite Television on the International Space Station (ISS)?
When astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) watch television, it is not through traditional satellite television. Due to the nature of the ISS's orbit, receiving a satellite TV signal would be extremely difficult. Instead, the crew receives a relatively slow internet feed from NASA ground stations and has a modest library of movies and shows available to them.
Understanding the Challenges
Broadcast TV would be impossible to pick up because the ISS orbits so rapidly that any transmission tower would come into range and go out of range again before you'd even watched the opening title of your show. Similar considerations apply to cable TV and satellite TV, which are geosynchronous and would leave the ISS astronauts without reception.
What Astronauts Actually Have and Do
Instead of satellite television, astronauts on the ISS can use laptops to watch shows and movies provided to them by NASA. They also have a video projector to enjoy content. For example, astronauts like Terry Virts-watch the Super Bowl, and Scott Kelly uses the projector to watch football.
Live Streams and Video Content
NASA and other organizations do provide some live content from the ISS. Astronauts can air live shows through uplinks from the Mission Control Center. NASA even offers several apps for mobile devices, such as ISS onLive by Polilabs and ISSLive by NASA, which stream live footage from the ISS. They also share videos made in the ISS, such as this one:
The Truth About Game of Thrones
While astronauts can watch a fairly extensive library of movies and TV shows, it is rare for them to watch Game of Thrones. The transmitters on the ISS are designed for other functions. However, astronauts do have the ability to watch live TV shows and sometimes even air live shows from the ISS.
So, while satellite television is not a realistic option, astronauts on the ISS can still enjoy a range of entertainment options, including live streams and exclusive in-space content. Stay tuned for more updates and insights from life on the ISS!
Note: The links provided above are for informational purposes and may or may not be active or updated.