Freq (MHz)

Satellite

Payload

Signal Type

Notes

121.750

Soyuz

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

121.750

Progress

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 (Zarya)

1998-67A
25544

ISS module

Medium bandwidth FM voice

VHF-2 channel used as an alternative to VHF-1 (143.625 MHz) during Shuttle/ISS on-orbit operations

Also used in parallel with VHF-1 at other times

130.167

ISS

1998-67A
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 (Zarya)

1998-67A
25544

ISS module

Medium bandwidth FM voice

VHF-1 channel, sometimes used in parallel with VHF-2 (130.167 MHz)

Also used to relay Mission Control transmissions to the Space Shuttle during on-orbit operations with the ISS

As part of the ISS Early Communications System, this frequency was used over the USA to communicate through the Wallops Facility and White Sands, and it was detected carrying packet data transmissions (operational data - not Amateur Radio) during Expedition 1 but is no longer used in this mode

145.800

ISS

1998-67A
25544

Space Station

Amateur Radio downlink frequency

ISS amateur radio frequency used for voice (both as a repeater and as a crew Amateur downlink), previously also used for packet data - uplinks are 145.200 MHz (Europe, Africa, Middle East and Northern Asia), and 144.49 MHz (rest of the world) - an uplink at 437.800 MHz can also be used to cross-connect to the downlink in repeater mode

(Information correct as of 2008 January see NASA's ARISS Page)

145.825

ISS

1998-67A
25544

Space Station

Amateur Radio downlink frequency

ISS amateur radio frequency used for packet data - the same frequency is used worldwide for both the uplink and the downlink

(Information correct as of 2008 January see NASA's ARISS Page)

145.990

Radioskaf/ Suitsat

2005-35C
28933

Amateur radio experiment - life expired Orlan spacesuit equipped with a radio transmitter and released from ISS during a crew EVA

NFM - extremely weak

Faint 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
no longer active

166.000

Progress

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

166.000

Soyuz

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 Space Shuttle

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 (Zvezda)

1998-67A
25544

ISS module

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 (Zvezda)

1998-67A
25544

ISS module

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 (Zarya)

1998-67A
25544

ISS module

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 (Zarya)

1998-67A
25544

ISS module

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

Progress

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

922.763

Soyuz

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 Space Shuttle

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