down·link
ˈdau̇n-ˌliŋk 
: a communications channel for receiving transmissions from a spacecraft
also
: such transmissions
downlinked; downlinking; downlinks
: to transmit (data) from a spacecraft or satellite to a receiver on earth
Examples of downlink in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
On the satellite side, a compact optical terminal transmits the data downlink as a focused laser beam, typically at a wavelength around 1550 nanometers.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2026
The spacecraft will be equipped with two Nikon D5 and one Nikon Z9, and Young said the agency will downlink as many photos as possible after the flyby.
—Ava Berger, NPR, 6 Apr. 2026
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Noun
The images pair well with some remarks made by mission specialist Christina Koch during a downlink event with media on Day 2 of the flight.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
On the satellite side, a compact optical terminal transmits the data downlink as a focused laser beam, typically at a wavelength around 1550 nanometers.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
Video from GoPro cameras outside the capsule streamed down in low-resolution format, due to limitations on bandwidth coming back from deep space, but the Artemis II astronauts were expected to downlink sharper telephoto snapshots overnight Monday into Tuesday morning.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2026
The spacecraft will be equipped with two Nikon D5 and one Nikon Z9, and Young said the agency will downlink as many photos as possible after the flyby.
—Ava Berger, NPR, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downlink
Cite this Entry
“Downlink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downlink. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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