downlink

1 of 2

noun

down·​link ˈdau̇n-ˌliŋk 

: a communications channel for receiving transmissions from a spacecraft

also : such transmissions

downlink

2 of 2

verb

downlinked; downlinking; downlinks

transitive verb

: to transmit (data) from a spacecraft or satellite to a receiver on earth

Examples of downlink in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Entry points are created via open protocols for uplinks and downlinks as well as long-range telemetry. — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Artemis missions put high demand on DSN, with additional requirements for telemetry and imagery downlinks to support human spaceflight. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026

Verb

For example, the Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb satellite constellations both downlink via Ku-band frequencies, which are approximately 11 to 14 GHz. — Margherita Bassi, Interesting Engineering, 19 May 2026

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1963, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1977, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for downlink

• bethink
• groupthink
• hoodwink
• rethink
• uplink
• blink
• brink
• chink
• cinque
• clink
• dink
• drink