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Appendix D. Spectrum Considerations
D.1 Introduction
The radio frequency spectrum is a national and international resource, and, as such, its
use is governed by statutory requirements and treaty obligations. There are also NASA
and NASA/GSFC policies and procedures governing the use of the radio frequency
spectrum. This Appendix describes some of the applicable national and international
obligations on its use to support space missions utilizing the Space Network.
Additionally, the GSFC Spectrum Allocation and Management Site (GSAMS)
http://classwww.gsfc.nasa.gov/GSAMS/ web site provides regulatory background
information and technical guidance for GSFC organizations involved in licensing RF
equipment. In the event of a conflict between the GSAMS website and this appendix,
please contact the GSFC Spectrum Manager for clarification.
The National Telecommunications Information Agency (NTIA) Manual of Regulations &
Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management defines the regulations and
policies pertaining to United States (U.S.) Government agency use of RF spectrum in
the United States and its possessions. (This manual is hereafter referred to as the
NTIA manual.) The NTIA regulations are available from the following website:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/osmhome.html.
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R)
provides an international forum to revise the technical and regulatory provisions
affecting the use of the RF spectrum. The ITU-R regulations are contained in the Radio
Regulations (RR), which, when ratified by the U.S. Senate, imposes treaty obligations
on the United States. Selected portions of the Radio Regulations are available from the
GSAMS website with a user ID and password (See the GSAMS website). The Space
Frequency Coordination Group (SFCG) exists under the umbrella of the ITU and allows
the world’s space agencies to deal with coordination and other issues unique to space
related operations.
Paragraph D.2 briefly provides guidance to projects that need to initiate RF equipment
licensing. Paragraph D.3 describes the PFD limits, how they are calculated, and some
of the operational implications to projects. Paragraph D.4 describes the limits for
unwanted emissions. Paragraph D.5 describes the standards for frequency tolerance.
Paragraph D.6 describes the regulations concerning cessation of emissions. Paragraph
D.7 describes the protection afforded deep space Earth stations. Paragraph D.8
describes the preferred frequencies for launch vehicles. Paragraph D.9 describes
national restrictions on return-link bandwidth. Paragraph D.10 describes SFCG
recommendations on 23 GHz and 26 GHz bands. Paragraph D.11 provides additional
ITU-R recommendations applicable to space-to-space links.
D.2 RF Equipment Licensing
All U.S. space missions, including commercial space systems that use the TDRSS
system, must register frequency usage with the NTIA and are subject to all the NTIA
Revision 10 D-1 450-SNUG