🛰 Satellite SSTV – Receiving Images from Space
Slow Scan Television (SSTV) lets radio enthusiasts decode pictures carried by radio signals. Some satellites transmit their own images during announced events; others relay transmissions from amateur radio operators. This guide explains the difference and how to get started.
Satellites and services to know
ISS / ARISS
Event-based SSTV · Low Earth orbit
The International Space Station transmits picture series during announced ARISS events. The October 2026 series used 437.550 MHz FM, Robot 36; older series also used 145.800 MHz. Expect Doppler shift on UHF and short reception windows during each pass.
Always follow the specific ARISS event notice rather than assuming one permanent SSTV frequency.
Official ARISS SSTV scheduleUMKA-1 (RS40S)
Satellite-origin SSTV · Low Earth orbit
UMKA-1 has transmitted Robot 36 pictures on 437.625 MHz during announced educational events. Transmission intervals and image sets may change from one event to another.
AMSAT Francophone announcementsSAKHACUBE-CHOLBON (RS18S)
Satellite-origin SSTV · Low Earth orbit
RS18S has announced SSTV events using 437.350 MHz, Robot 36. Reception is only possible during suitable passes and active transmission periods.
Check event announcementsVIZARD-METEO (RS38S)
Monitor confirmed event announcements
Include RS38S in your satellite-event watchlist, but verify that an announcement explicitly specifies SSTV pictures before treating it as an image-transmission event. Use the event's published frequency and mode.
AMSAT image-satellite resourcesQO-100 (Es'hail-2)
Amateur transponder · Geostationary
Unlike the satellites above, QO-100 does not run a scheduled onboard SSTV picture broadcast. It relays signals transmitted by amateur radio operators. Its narrowband downlink spans 10,489.500–10,490.000 MHz. SSTV activity, when present, depends on operators and applicable transponder band-plan rules.
Receiving generally requires a suitable dish, LNB/downconverter and SDR or satellite receiver. A compatible online WebSDR can also help with listening.
AMSAT QO-100 technical detailsHow to receive satellite SSTV
- Find a confirmed event. Note the satellite, UTC start/end times, downlink frequency, SSTV mode and any transmission breaks.
- Predict the pass. For low-Earth-orbit satellites, use current orbital data and a satellite pass predictor for your location. QO-100 is geostationary, so it does not make short overhead passes.
- Prepare the receiver. A suitable VHF/UHF radio or SDR and antenna may work for ISS and CubeSat events. UHF reception benefits from Doppler tuning; weak signals may require a directional antenna.
- Connect an SSTV decoder. Route receiver audio to software such as MMSSTV, RX-SSTV or another decoder supporting the announced mode. Set the correct mode (for example, Robot 36) or use reliable auto-detection.
- Record and save. Start listening before the predicted pass, keep audio levels clean, save decoded images and note the satellite, time (UTC) and receiving station.