Inter-satellite service, also known as inter-satellite radiocommunication service, as defined by Article 1.22 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR), is a radiocommunication service providing links between artificial satellites. [1]
In accordance with ITU Radio Regulations (article 1) variations of this radiocommunication service are classified as follows:
An Earth observation satellite or Earth remote sensing satellite is a satellite used or designed for Earth observation (EO) from orbit, including spy satellites and similar ones intended for non-military uses such as environmental monitoring, meteorology, cartography and others. The most common type are Earth imaging satellites, that take satellite images, analogous to aerial photographs; some EO satellites may perform remote sensing without forming pictures, such as in GNSS radio occultation.
The ITU Radio Regulations (RR) is a basic document of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that regulates on law of nations scale radiocommunication services and the utilisation of radio frequencies. It is the supplementation to the ITU Constitution and Convention and in line with the ITU International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR). The ITU RR comprise and regulate the part of the allocated electromagnetic spectrum from 9 kHz to 300 GHz.
A ground station, Earth station, or Earth terminal is a terrestrial radio station designed for extraplanetary telecommunication with spacecraft, or reception of radio waves from astronomical radio sources. Ground stations may be located either on the surface of the Earth, or in its atmosphere. Earth stations communicate with spacecraft by transmitting and receiving radio waves in the super high frequency (SHF) or extremely high frequency (EHF) bands. When a ground station successfully transmits radio waves to a spacecraft, it establishes a telecommunications link. A principal telecommunications device of the ground station is the parabolic antenna.
Fixed-satellite service is – according to article 1.21 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as A radiocommunication service between earth stations at given positions, when one or more satellites are used; the given position may be a specified fixed point or any fixed point within specified areas; in some cases this service includes satellite-to-satellite links, which may also be operated in the inter-satellite service; the fixed-satellite service may also include feeder links for other space radiocommunication services.
Mobile-satellite service is – according to Article 1.25 of the International Telecommunication Union's Radio Regulations – "A radiocommunication service
Standard frequency and time signal service is, according to Article 1.53 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR), "A radiocommunication service for scientific, technical and other purposes, providing the transmission of specified frequencies, time signals, or both, of stated high precision, intended for general reception".
Safety service is – according to Article 1.59 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as «A radiocommunication service used permanently or temporarily for the safeguarding of human life and property.»
Land mobile-satellite service is – according to Article 1.27 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as «A mobile-satellite service in which mobile earth stations are located on land.»
A feeder link is – according to Article 1.115 of the International Telecommunication Union´s (ITU) ITU Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as:
A radio link from an earth station at a given location to a space station, or vice versa, conveying information for a space radiocommunication service other than for the fixed-satellite service. The given location may be at a specified fixed point, or at any fixed point within specified areas.
Maritime mobile-satellite service is – according to Article 1.29 of the International Telecommunication Union's Radio Regulations (RR) – "A mobile-satellite service in which mobile earth stations are located on board ships; survival craft stations and emergency position-indicating radiobeacon stations may also participate in this service", in addition to serving as navigation systems.
A land earth station is – according to Article 1.70 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) ITU Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as "An earth station in the fixed-satellite service or, in some cases, in the mobile-satellite service, located at a specified fixed point or within a specified area on land to provide a feeder link for the mobile-satellite service."
Port operations service is – according to Article 1.30 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as «A maritime mobile service in or near a port, between coast stations and ship stations, or between ship stations, in which messages are restricted to those relating to the operational handling, the movement and the safety of ships and, in emergency, to the safety of persons. Messages which are of a public correspondence nature shall be excluded from this service.»
Ship earth station is – according to Article 1.78 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) ITU Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as "A mobile earth station in the maritime mobile-satellite service located on board ship."
Land mobile earth station is – according to Article 1.74 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) ITU Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as "A mobile earth station in the land mobile-satellite service capable of surface movement within the geographical limits of a country or continent."
Ship movement service is – according to Article 1.31 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as «A safety service in the maritime mobile service other than a port operations service, between coast stations and ship stations, or between ship stations, in which messages are restricted to those relating to the movement of ships. Messages which are of a public correspondence nature shall be excluded from this service.»
Coast earth station, also called the coast earth radio station is – according to article 1.76 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) ITU Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as "An earth station in the fixed-satellite service or, in some cases, in the maritime mobile-satellite service, located at a specified fixed point on land to provide a feeder link for the maritime mobile-satellite service." Each radio station shall be classified by the service in which it operates permanently or temporarily.
Broadcasting-satellite service is – according to Article 1.39 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as «A radiocommunication service in which signals transmitted or retransmitted by space stations are intended for direct reception by the general public. In the broadcasting-satellite service, the term “direct reception” shall encompass both individual reception and community reception.»
Satellite radio system is – according to article 1.111 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) ITU Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as «A space system using one or more artificial earth satellites.»
Satellite emergency position-indicating radiobeacon station is – according to article 1.94 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) ITU Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as "An earth station in the mobile-satellite service the emissions of which are intended to facilitate search and rescue (SAR) operations."
Aircraft earth station is – according to Article 1.84 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) ITU Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as "A mobile earth station in the aeronautical mobile-satellite service located on board an aircraft."
