Do astronauts watch satellite TV in space?

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SUMMARY

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have the capability to watch satellite TV, but they rarely do so due to the high demands on their time. The signals from satellites are transmitted in specific patterns known as "footprints," which cover designated areas on Earth. While the ISS may occasionally pass through these satellite beams, the duration is typically only seconds to a minute, making it impractical for watching television. Therefore, even if astronauts had the opportunity, the constraints of their schedules and the nature of satellite coverage limit their ability to engage in such leisure activities.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of satellite communication principles
  • Familiarity with the International Space Station (ISS) operations
  • Knowledge of signal transmission and reception
  • Awareness of time management in high-stakes environments
NEXT STEPS
  • Research satellite communication footprints and coverage patterns
  • Explore the operational schedule and activities of astronauts on the ISS
  • Learn about the technology behind satellite signal transmission
  • Investigate time management strategies used by astronauts in space
USEFUL FOR

Astronauts, aerospace engineers, satellite communication specialists, and anyone interested in the operational realities of living and working on the International Space Station.

Jupiter60
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Do astronauts watch satellite tv in space?
 
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The only astronauts in space at present are those on the ISS, and yes they could, but I imagine they don't sit around channels surfing.
Every minute of their time is expensive and needs to be justifiable, even if it's just sleep time.
If you were rich enough personally to pay for a ride to the ISS, do you think you would want to watch TV when you got there?
 
Last edited:
Jupiter60 said:
Do astronauts watch satellite tv in space?

and even if they had the time, that would be almost impossible as the signals from the satellites is beamed towards earth
in very defined patterns, called a "footprint" that covers a particular area/country(ies)

The ISS probably does pass through the antenna beams of these satellites, but it would be very brief seconds to a minute or two
so no good for watchingDave
 

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