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Reference.org
Near Earth Network
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<p> The Near Earth Network (NEN, formerly GN or Ground Network) provides orbital communications support for near-Earth orbiting customer platforms via various ground stations, operated by <a href="/facts/NASA/TIMCV0yV">NASA</a> and other space agencies. It uses a number of different dishes scattered around the globe. The antennas must be able to move fast for tracking of objects in <a href="/facts/Low_Earth_orbit/rq1TwayJ">low Earth orbit</a> (LEO). The NEN and <a href="/facts/Space_Network/r4USfmM7">Space Network</a> (SN) combined were previously referred to as the Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network (STDN). </p>