The Russian ISS frequencies 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. 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 another area of this site. If you follow the link, you will need to use the 'Back' button to return here.
Freq (MHz) |
Satellite |
Payload |
Signal Type |
Notes
|
121.750 |
Soyuz TMA-1
(Soyuz 11F732 No211)
2002-050A
27552 |
ISS Crew transport |
Medium bandwidth FM voice |
Frequency used during on-orbit operations to and from the Space Station, and reportedly used for recovery beacon during landing module descent - Also transmits at 166 MHz and 922.763 MHz |
130.167 |
ISS
(International Space Station)
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
Medium bandwidth FM voice |
VHF-2 channel used as an alternative to VHF-1 (143.625 MHz) during Shuttle/ISS on-orbit operations |
130.167 |
ISS
(International Space Station)
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
Ranging pulses |
Used by TORU remote control docking system, usually tested 1-2 days before a Progress docking is due, the Progress return path is at 121.750 MHz |
143.625 |
ISS
(International Space Station)
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
Medium bandwidth FM voice |
VHF-1 channel, also used to relay Mission Control to the Shuttle - used as part of the ISS Early Communications System over the USA working with the Wallops Facility and White Sands, detected carrying packet data transmissions during Expedition 1 |
145.800 |
ISS
(International Space Station)
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
Amateur Radio downlink frequency |
Amateur radio downlink - see NASA's ARISS Page |
145.825 |
ISS
(International Space Station)
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
Amateur Radio downlink frequency |
Amateur radio downlink - 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 No211)
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 |
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 transmits at 2217.500 MHz |
628.000 |
ISS
(International Space Station)
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
FM telemetry - sidebands at +/- 128 kHz |
Transmits on command from within Russia - 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
(International Space Station)
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
FM telemetry - sidebands at +/- 128 kHz |
Transmits on command from within Russia - 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
(International Space Station)
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
FM telemetry - sidebands at +/- 128 kHz |
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 |
634.000 |
ISS
(International Space Station)
1998-067A
25544 |
Space Station |
FM telemetry - sidebands at +/- 128 kHz |
Transmissions originally reported by Sven Grahn when Zarya first reached orbit - Transmits on command from Moscow, 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 |
922.763 |
Soyuz TMA-1
(Soyuz 11F732 No211)
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 |
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 transmits at 259.7 MHz |
The ISS frequencies listed here are all active. 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.