The ISS frequencies listed here are all active. Some are given as examples but later launches of the same type will use the same frequencies. With patience and knowledge of when the Space Station is above your horizon, they can be picked up by a reasonable receiver and aerial combination.
Russian transmissions are mainly restricted to Europe but the telemetry from Progress and Soyuz is occasionally detectable over other parts of the world during the 2-3 days chase of the ISS after launch. There are occasional communication checks with US ground stations using the VHF-1 and VHF-2 channels (143.625 and 130.167 MHz).
The STS frequency at 259.7 MHz can be heard best during the ascent to orbit as the Shuttle travels north-east from the Kennedy Space Center, nearly parallel to the US east coast.
The other of the easily-detectable STS frequencies is at S-band where it generally transmits at a constant level while in free flight but can be heard changing in strength as it is constantly being switched to the aerial experiencing the least blocking by the ISS structure.
A simple dipole, or even the telescopic aerial supplied with a hand-held scanner, may suffice for the frequencies used by Soyuz, the Space Shuttle and the ISS for voice, and the telemetry/tracking frequencies of 166 MHz and 922.763 MHz. A pre-amplifier is recommended for the best results. There are some tips for tracking launches to the ISS in the satellite tracking area of this site. There is a link in the right hand menu.
NOTE - the Soyuz & Progress identities are examples, others in the series use the same frequencies.
| Freq (MHz) |
Satellite |
Payload |
Signal Type |
Notes |
| 121.500 |
Soyuz TMA-1
(Soyuz 11F732 № 211)
2002-050A
27552 |
ISS Crew Transport |
Morse Code |
Used to transmit the letters "AN" while descending under parachute - only detectable in immediate area of landing.
After touchdown - carries a "warble" transmission for direction finding, also used for two-way communication with the crew before hatch opening.
NOTE - this an international distress frequency. |
| 121.750 |
Soyuz TMA-1
(Soyuz 11F732 № 211)
2002-050A
27552 |
ISS Crew transport |
Medium bandwidth FM voice |
Frequency used during on-orbit operations to and from the Space Station. Also transmits at 166 MHz and 922.763 MHz |
| 121.750 |
Progress M-06M
(Progress 7K-TGM №406)
2010-033A
36748 |
Mir/ISS Logistics |
Ranging pulses |
Used by TORU remote control docking system as the return signal path to ISS (see also 130.167 MHz for the ISS transmission) - Also transmits at 166 MHz and 922.763 MHz |
| 130.167 |
ISS
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
Medium bandwidth FM voice |
VHF-2 channel for Russian segment, used as an alternative to VHF-1 (143.625 MHz) during Shuttle/ISS on-orbit operations |
| 130.167 |
ISS
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
Ranging pulses |
Used by TORU remote control docking system on the Russian segment, usually tested 1-2 days before a Progress docking is due, the Progress return path is at 121.750 MHz |
| 143.625 |
ISS
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
Medium bandwidth FM voice |
Russian segment VHF-1 channel for communication with Moscow, also used to relay Mission Control to the Shuttle during docking.
Used as part of the ISS Early Communications System over the USA working with the Wallops Facility and White Sands and still used there occasionally but mainly in test mode.
Sven Grahn detected it carrying packet data transmissions during Expedition 1. |
| 145.800 |
ISS
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
Amateur Radio downlink frequency |
Amateur radio downlink from US segment - see NASA's ARISS Page |
| 145.825 |
ISS
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
Amateur Radio downlink frequency |
Amateur radio downlink from US segment - see NASA's ARISS Page |
| 145.990 |
Suitsat
(Orlan-M No14)
2005-035C
28933 |
Amateur radio experiment - life expired Orlan spacesuit equipped with a radio transmitter and released from ISS during a crew EVA |
NFM - extremely weak |
Voice recording + SSTV image - the low power was due to a failed amplifier - Released from ISS 2006 Feb 3 and battery exhausted 2006 Feb 18 |
| 166.000 |
Soyuz TMA-1
(Soyuz 11F732 № 211)
2002-050A
27552 |
ISS Crew transport |
FM telemetry - sidebands at +/- 128 kHz |
Transmits during on-orbit operations to and from the ISS, and while docked with the space station - The transmission sounds as a loud buzz with sharp peaks at the sideband frequencies - Also transmits at 121.750 MHz and 922.763 MHz |
| 166.000 |
Progress M-06M
(Progress 7K-TGM №406)
2010-033A
36748 |
Mir/ISS Logistics |
FM telemetry - sidebands at +/- 128 kHz |
Transmits during on-orbit operations to and from the ISS, and while docked with the space station - The transmission sounds as a loud buzz with sharp peaks at the sideband frequencies - Also transmits at 922.763 MHz |
| 259.700 |
STS |
ISS Crew/payload transport |
AM voice |
Detected over Europe occasionally prior to Shuttle re-entry from ISS operations, and with voice during the orbital injection phase from Kennedy SC to Europe - also transmitted at 2217.500 MHz.
Frequency no longer in use. |
| 628.000 |
ISS
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
FM telemetry - sidebands at +/- 128 kHz |
Transmission from the Zvezda module.
Transmits on command from within Russia, several times per day - usually in parallel with 630 MHz - Similar transmission format to Soyuz/Progress at 166 MHz but with lower power - part of the BITS telemetry system. |
| 630.000 |
ISS
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
FM telemetry - sidebands at +/- 128 kHz |
Transmission from the Zvezda module.
Transmits on command from within Russia, several times per day - usually in parallel with 628 MHz - Similar transmission format to Soyuz/Progress at 166 MHz but with lower power - part of the BITS telemetry system. |
| 632.000 |
ISS
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
FM telemetry - sidebands at +/- 128 kHz |
Transmission from the Zarya module.
Transmissions originally reported by Sven Grahn when Zarya first reached orbit - Similar transmission format to Soyuz/Progress at 166 MHz but with lower power - part of the BITS telemetry system and probably no longer in use |
| 633.909 |
ISS
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
FM telemetry - sidebands at +/- 128 kHz |
Transmission from the Zarya module. The central frequency is 91 kHz lower than what might be regarded as the norm for this type of transmission.
Transmissions originally reported by Sven Grahn when Zarya first reached orbit - similar transmission format to Soyuz/Progress at 166 MHz but with lower power - part of the BITS telemetry system. Transmissions are infrequent. |
| 922.763 |
Soyuz TMA-1
(Soyuz 11F732 № 211)
2002-050A
27552 |
ISS crew transport |
CW |
Part of the REGUL command and control system - there may be other elements of signals on sidebands around this frequency - transmits during the approach and departure phases from the ISS and occasionally during checks while docked - Also transmits at 121.75 MHz and 166 MHz |
| 922.763 |
Progress M-06M
(Progress 7K-TGM №406)
2010-033A
36748 |
Mir/ISS Logistics |
CW |
Part of the REGUL command and control system - there may be other elements of signal on sidebands around this frequency - Active during the approach and departure phases from the ISS and occasionally during checks while docked - Also transmits at 121.75 MHz and 166 MHz |
| 2217.500 |
STS |
ISS Crew/payload transport |
CW carrier plus side bands carrying data |
Integrated voice and data on SGLS Channel 4 - transmitter operates almost continuously while the payload bay doors are open, also transmitted at 259.7 MHz.
Frequency no longer in use. |
