Can astronauts communicate with their families from the ISS?

Astronauts may spend quite a long time working on the International Space Station (ISS). Those expeditions usually last about 6 months so, it is important that astronauts can communicate with their families while they’re up in space.

Thankfully, the internet is available from the space station so astronauts can stay in touch with their loved ones. They use internet-enabled laptops to send emails, make phone calls and even watch movies. They have access to a myriad of apps such as FaceBook, WhatsApp, and more. They can also use social media channels to communicate with the public and keep up with the latest news and happenings.

How do astronauts contact their families from the ISS?

They have access to a computer that is equipped with a VoIP system. This allows them to make video calls to their loved ones or just about anyone on Earth. There are no restrictions as to when or for how long they can make calls. They simply need to be in contact with mission control at Johnson Space Center. The ground control centre will then direct them to the appropriate satellite for their call.

One of the few downsides is that astronauts can only initiate a call, their family members can't just pick up their home phone and call them spontaneously. Another inconvenience is that their calls are relayed through satellite, due to the long-distance nature of the call, so if the ISS is out of range of a satellite, they won't be able to make a call.

In the below video, you can see astronaut Rick Mastracchio speaking to his family during a video conference call from the ISS.

You can see how happy Rick is to be able to talk to his family. It's clear that being able to communicate with them while in space makes a big difference in his morale.. This really shows the importance of keeping in touch with loved ones during long expeditions.

In the below video, Astronaut Randy Bresnik explains in great detail the main ways astronauts communicate with people on Earth.

If you are interested to see what a video conference with an astronaut looks like, you may catch one of the occasional live broadcasts on NASA TV.

Explore more astronaut stories ???

This page is part of our collection of articles about astronauts. If you enjoyed the read, then you'll love the following articles.

Interesting Facts About Astronauts

Over the last few decades, only a few people have had the chance to go into space. Here are some facts about astronauts that may amaze you!

Can astronauts use social media from space?

In recent years, NASA has used social media platforms to keep the public informed about the progress of its missions. 

Can astronauts smoke in space??

Astronauts are strictly forbidden from smoking on board the Space Shuttle or ISS, and there are several reasons for this.