The technologies that allow NASA to talk to and navigate spacecraft are often overlooked — perhaps because they work so well. Join us as we shine a light on the invisible networks that power space science and exploration.

The Invisible Network: Space Communications

In season four, explore the lifesaving systems of space suits, break through the sound barrier, and search for life among the stars. First-time space explorers welcome.

NASA's Curious Universe: Introducing Season Four

In this second episode in the fifth season of NASA's "The Invisible Network" podcast, we take a tour of the Deep Space Network's worldwide infrastructure.

The Invisible Network: DSN – Follow the Sun

In this third episode in the fifth season of NASA's "The Invisible Network" podcast, we meet the Mission Interface Managers who furnish missions with Deep Space Network services.

The Invisible Network: DSN – Negotiators

In this fourth episode in the fifth season of NASA's "The Invisible Network" podcast, we discuss the unique type of radio science empowered by Deep Space Network antennas.

The Invisible Network: DSN – Radio Science

In this fifth episode in the fifth season of NASA's "The Invisible Network" podcast, we discuss a unique educational opportunity that allows students to use a Deep Space Network antenna for real science.

The Invisible Network: DSN – The Ultimate Classroom

In this final episode of the fifth season of NASA's "The Invisible Network" podcast, we discuss the technologies and capabilities key to the Deep Space Network's future.

The Invisible Network: DSN – Explore Tomorrow

Normal matter—the kind that makes up our home planet and everything we can see—adds up to just five percent of the known universe. The other 95 percent is dark matter and dark energy, a tag team that ranks among the biggest mysteries in all of science. NASA astrophysicists Jason Rhodes and Ami Choi explain how we study this dark side and why it’s making scientists reconsider what we think we know about the universe.

NASA's Curious Universe: Welcome To The Dark Side

Sensors in the feet of Rosetta’s lander Philae have recorded the sound of touchdown as it first came into contact with Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The instrument, SESAME-CASSE, was turned on during the descent and clearly registered the first touchdown as Philae came into contact with the comet, in the form of vibrations detected in the soles of the lander’s feet. 

Technical note: This is the actual sound file; i.e. it is a recording of mechanical vibrations at acoustic frequencies. No modification was necessary except for some technical adjustments (e.g. the .wav format requires amplitude normalization). Actual frequency content and duration are unchanged.

Read full details in ESA's Rosetta blog: http://wp.me/p46DHN-Sr

CREDIT: ESA/Rosetta/Philae/SESAME/DLR (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0) 

This soundfile is licenced under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO (CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO) licence. The user is allowed to reproduce, distribute, adapt, translate and publicly perform this publication, without explicit permission, provided that the content is accompanied by an acknowledgement that the source is credited as 'ESA/Rosetta/Philae/SESAME/DLR', a direct link to the licence text is provided and that it is clearly indicated if changes were made to the original content. Adaptation/translation/derivatives must be distributed under the same licence terms as this publication. To view a copy of this license, please visit: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/igo/

Thumbnail image credit: ESA/ATG medialab 
Audio file credit: ESA/Rosetta/Philae/SESAME/DLR





Philae touchdown makes a thud

Ever wonder how the International Space Station alarms sounds? This emergency alert is the last thing astronauts on the ISS ever want to hear as they work 400 km above Earth in the vacuum of space.   
 
This sound was sent to us by the Columbus Control Centre, near München, Germany, the operations centre for ESA astronauts and the Columbus laboratory, part of the orbiting weightless research centre.

The alarm is sounded on the International Space Station to alert astronauts to life-threatening emergencies such as loss of pressure or fire. The astronauts would immediately convene near their Soyuz spacecraft that serve as lifeboats, but these kind of emergencies are extremely rare and the alarm has sounded only a handful of times despite the Space Station having been inhabited since 2000. 

Most astronauts on a six-month space flight will only ever hear the sound during a practice session.

Regular 'fire-drills' are performed to make sure that even in a worst-case scenario everybody knows what to do. Mission controllers from the international partners that run the Space Station in Russia, USA, Europe and Japan re-enact scenarios with the astronauts in space. In critical situations the teams on ground need to communicate efficiently, act quickly and coordinate a solution between each other and the astronauts flying 400 km above them.

Image credit: ESA/NASA

Audio credit: ESA, CC BY-SA IGO 3.0 
http://www.esa.int/Services/Creative_Commons_Attribution-ShareAlike_3.0_IGO_CC_BY-SA_3.0_IGO_Licence

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/igo/

International Space Station siren

In the telephone switchboard’s earliest days, the late 1800s, operators served a limited number of customers within their own communities. As telephone use expanded, automation helped switchboards keep up. NASA is working on a similar approach, infusing its satellite networks with a sort of artificial intelligence.

https://www.nasa.gov/mediacast/goddard/2018/the-invisible-network-podcast-episode-04-automation

The Invisible Network: Episode 04 - Automation

This is a recording of the background noise of the US lab on the International Space Station, recorded by Commander Chris Hadfield.

This is what normal life sounds like in space.

Find out more:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cmdr_Hadfield

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AstronautChrisHadfield?fref=ts

Ambient noise of the International Space Station

The sound of starting up the toilet on the space station. Not exactly conducive to reading.

Find out more:

Twitter: twitter.com/Cmdr_Hadfield

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AstronautChrisHadfield?fref=ts

Toilet Starting on Station

This is the sound the space toilet is making when not in operation. It is a similar steady hum to that of the rest of the station, surrounded by hardworking fans.

Find out more:

Twitter: twitter.com/Cmdr_Hadfield

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AstronautChrisHadfield?fref=ts

Space Toilet (Steady Noise)

It is arguable that this is the most grating sound on station. I don't recommend listening to it on full with your headphones on.

Find out more:

Twitter: twitter.com/Cmdr_Hadfield

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AstronautChrisHadfield?fref=ts

Condensate Transfer Pump (Very Grating)

This is the background noise of the Japanese Experiment Module (Kibo) on the International Space Station.

Kibo Module Background Noise

ESA Director General Jan Wörner and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine sit down with hosts Ally Koehler and Stephen Ennis to talk about collaboration and the future of space exploration – including a new space station around the Moon. This episode was recorded just ahead of the 20 year anniversary of humans living and working on the International Space Station on 2 November 2020. 

Please note, there are some issues with audio quality due to the nature of recording remotely during a pandemic. We hope these don't detract from your listening experience. Enjoy!

ESA Explores

ESA Explores bonus: agency heads look #ForwardtoTheMoon

Hello, we’re NASA. You may have seen our astronauts, rocket launches, or Mars rovers — but have you heard our sounds? From interviews with astronauts and engineers to stories that take you on a tour of the galaxy, NASA’s audio offerings let you experience the thrill of space exploration without ever leaving Earth.

The Invisible Network: Episode 04 - Automation

NASA

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