Session
Session 2: Delivering Mission Success
Abstract
The small satellite community is presently facing an issue regarding UHF band frequency usage. There is currently an effort to establish limits on the strength of the waves for the bands Uplink: 401-403 MHz and Downlink 460-470 MHz. Once this rule is officially approved in the ITU, the only other remaining option is 449.75-450.25 MHz for uplink. However, these bands are only treated as side notes, and there is no guarantee that they can definitely be used. With regards to amateur radio bands, there are fundamental disagreements with the idea of using amateur radio frequencies for satellite TT&C. As a result, it will become functionally impossible to use those frequencies for satellite uplink. Maintaining usage of UHF band frequencies is important for the development of the satellite industry. If unable to use UHF frequencies, there remains no other option but to use high frequency bands. For instance, if a country wanted to begin satellite development, and they were in a situation where they had no choice but to use S/X/Ka band frequencies, this would be a significant barrier to entry. Overall, there is a need to make the community’s voice heard in the ITU.
Frequency and Legal Regulations Surrounding a Ground Station Network
The small satellite community is presently facing an issue regarding UHF band frequency usage. There is currently an effort to establish limits on the strength of the waves for the bands Uplink: 401-403 MHz and Downlink 460-470 MHz. Once this rule is officially approved in the ITU, the only other remaining option is 449.75-450.25 MHz for uplink. However, these bands are only treated as side notes, and there is no guarantee that they can definitely be used. With regards to amateur radio bands, there are fundamental disagreements with the idea of using amateur radio frequencies for satellite TT&C. As a result, it will become functionally impossible to use those frequencies for satellite uplink. Maintaining usage of UHF band frequencies is important for the development of the satellite industry. If unable to use UHF frequencies, there remains no other option but to use high frequency bands. For instance, if a country wanted to begin satellite development, and they were in a situation where they had no choice but to use S/X/Ka band frequencies, this would be a significant barrier to entry. Overall, there is a need to make the community’s voice heard in the ITU.
