Communications System How does DS1's communications system work?

What makes DS1 send distress signals?

DS1 will send a "Help! Red Alert!" signal when it is experiencing a problem that Remote Agent cannot handle on its own. This problem could be a failure of an onboard system, or else an unexpected event like a collision with a micrometeoroid or damaged caused by a solar flare. If something very bad were to happen to DS1, Remote Agent might not know how to respond. When this occurs, it reverts to a "safe" mode, where it won't hurt itself further, and signals the ground station for help.

How often does DS1 communicate with a ground station?
What kind of data is DS1 sending back?
How is data put on radio waves?
How does NASA run space missions?
How are remote agents used?

What new communications features is DS1 using?
How is NASA overseeing the DS1 mission?
What would happen if DS1 collided with an object in space?
What is an asteroid, a planetoid, a meteoroid a micrometeoroid?
What is a solar flare?