The Russian segment of the International space station connected to a broadband satellite communication channel with the Ground, thereby eliminating the need to use American communication channels.
- © Oleg Artemyev / Roscosmos
As reported by RIA Novosti, before the astronauts could communicate with Earth only flying over Russian territory, and, if necessary, when outside of these areas used the American funds.
“Now we are not dependent on our colleagues and their American segment,” — said the Director of the Department digital development of the “Rosatom” Konstantin Shadrin.
As specified in the video RSC Energia, the connection is established twice per orbit of the ISS (its duration is 92 minutes) via relay satellites “Luch”.
“In the near future we plan to include a third. Thus, all round we will try to implement almost the entire round with the exception of some time”, — said the head of the center “Airborne and ground radio complexes” RSC “Energia” Igor Brodsky.
In the future we plan to provide communication with the Ground around the clock.