Earth Exploration – Satellite Service Handbook Earth Exploration–Satellite Service *36546* Printed in Switzerland Geneva, 2011 English Edition 2011 ISBN 92-61-13761-X Radiocommunication Bureau Photo credits: Shutterstock - ITU Handbook THE RADIOCOMMUNICATION SECTOR OF ITU The role of the Radiocommunication Sector is to ensure the rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum by all radiocommunication services, including satellite services, and carry out studies without limit of frequency range on the basis of which Recommendations are adopted. The regulatory and policy functions of the Radiocommunication Sector are performed by World and Regional Radiocommunication Conferences and Radiocommunication Assemblies supported by Study Groups. Inquiries about radiocommunication matters Please contact: ITU Radiocommunication Bureau Place des Nations CH -1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland Telephone: +41 22 730 5800 Fax: +41 22 730 5785 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.itu.int/itu-r Placing orders for ITU publications Please note that orders cannot be taken over the telephone. They should be sent by fax or e-mail. ITU Sales and Marketing Division Place des Nations CH -1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland Fax: +41 22 730 5194 E-mail: [email protected] The Electronic Bookshop of ITU: www.itu.int/publications ¤ ITU 2011 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the prior written permission of ITU. Handbook Earth Exploration-Satellite Service English Edition 2011 Radicommunication Bureau THE RADIOCOMMUNICATION SECTOR OF ITU The role of the Radiocommunication Sector is to ensure the rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum by all radiocommunication services, including satellite services, and carry out studies without limit of frequency range on the basis of which Recommendations are adopted. The regulatory and policy functions of the Radiocommunication Sector are performed by World and Regional Radiocommunication Conferences and Radiocommunication Assemblies supported by Study Groups. Inquiries about radiocommunication matters Please contact: ITU Radiocommunication Bureau Place des Nations CH -1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland Telephone: +41 22 730 5800 Fax: +41 22 730 5785 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.itu.int/itu-r Placing orders for ITU publications Please note that orders cannot be taken over the telephone. They should be sent by fax or e-mail. ITU Sales and Marketing Division Place des Nations CH -1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland Fax: +41 22 730 5194 E-mail: [email protected] The Electronic Bookshop of ITU: www.itu.int/publications ITU 2011 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the prior written permission of ITU. iii PREFACE The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology issues and the global focal point for governments and the private sector in developing networks and services. The Radiocommunication Sector of the ITU (ITU-R) plays a vital role in the global management of the radio-frequency spectrum – a limited natural resource which is increasingly in demand from a large and growing number of services including science services such as the Earth Exploration-Satellite Service (EESS). The EESS makes use of specific frequency allocations as documented in the ITU Radio Regulations (RR). Use of EESS frequency allocations is further refined in the RS Series (for remote sensing) and the SA Series (for space applications, in particular for data communications to and from science satellites) of the ITU-R Recommendations, based on technical characteristics and operational procedures. Historically, on account of its specificity, the development of EESS has been considered by a narrow circle of specialists. This stems primarily from the fact that the main users have been various security agencies or scientific institutions dealing with the fundamentals of space and the Earth. However, as a result of technological development in this sphere, science services are giving rise to a large number of applications for which there is significant demand, as they are indispensable and extremely important in humankind’s quest to combat various natural and climatic disasters and mitigate their effects. In particular, it has been stated at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2007 that “the collection and exchange of Earth observation data are essential for maintaining and improving the accuracy of weather forecasts that contribute to the protection of life, preservation of property and sustainable development throughout the world”. At the same time, more and more applications, such as remote sensing imagery products, are emerging that respond to commercial demands. This Handbook gives to readers a full and comprehensive information on development of EESS systems. Specifically, it provides basic definitions, sheds light on the technical principles underlying the operation of systems and presents their main applications to assist administrations in spectrum planning, engineering and deployment aspects of these systems. François Rancy Director Radiocommunication Bureau The Earth Exploration-Satellite Service Preface v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PREFACE ............................................................................................................................................ iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................... v FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................................ vii CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION TO THE EARTH EXPLORATION-SATELLITE SERVICE ..... 1 CHAPTER 2 – EARTH EXPLORATION-SATELLITE TELEMETRY, TRACKING, AND COMMAND FUNCTIONS AND TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATIONS ............................. 7 CHAPTER 3 – EARTH EXPLORATION-SATELLITE SERVICE SCIENCE DATA DOWNLINK FUNCTIONS AND TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION............................... 17 CHAPTER 4 – SPACEBORNE ACTIVE MICROWAVE SENSORS OPERATING IN THE EARTH EXPLORATION-SATELLITE SERVICE (ACTIVE) ............................................. 25 CHAPTER 5 – SPACEBORNE PASSIVE MICROWAVE SENSORS OPERATING IN THE EARTH EXPLORATION-SATELLITE SERVICE (PASSIVE) ............................................ 49 CHAPTER 6 – SOCIETAL BENEFITS OF THE EARTH EXPLORATION-SATELLITE SERVICE ................................................................................................................................. 63 APPENDIX 1 – ITU-R RECOMMENDATIONS RELEVANT TO THE EARTH EXPLORATION -SATELLITE SERVICE .......................................................................................................... 81 The Earth Exploration-Satellite Service Table of Contents vii FOREWORD The Earth exploration-satellite service (EESS) is an integral part of our every day life. It does not show directly when you think about satellites, your first thought may be about your TV dish or the GPS receiver in your car, however the question is what would be life without the applications of the Earth exploration- satellite service. It would be difficult to get precise weather forecast for instance, not because of the lack of meteorological images (they are part of the meteorological-satellite service) but because of the large quantity of information that are gathered by Earth exploration-satellite sensors. This data helps us to understand the dynamics of our atmosphere, its interaction with the ocean and land masses and thus are essential in building the prediction model that are used everyday in forecasting the weather. Long term effects on the climate can only be guessed from outer-space using active or passive sensors by measuring the wave height, the water temperature, the salinity, the ozone concentration – all kinds of data that capture the behavior of our environment. It is a common statement to say that Earth has become a global village. You want to get somewhere you don't know, it is so easy to Google its location and discover the place, its topography just at the click of your mouse. Without satellites taking pictures of our entire planet and transmitting them every day that would not be possible. The Earth exploration-satellite is also an essential tool in comprehending the enormous forces that makes Earth a living world. The geological features are clearly visible from space; even the ocean topography measured with centimeter accuracy mimics the relief of the ocean floor, revealing trenches and volcanic ranges. Benefits to mankind in assessing biological resources, preventing natural disasters are just too common these days that it would be virtually impossible not to use them anymore. This Handbook describes the ins and outs of the Earth exploration-satellite service, its technical characteristics, its applications, its spectrum requirements or lists its benefits for all of us on the good Earth. It will give the reader an excellent overview of the subject, references to the works done by the ITU will allow the interested reader to go further if needed. As Chairman of the Radiocommunication Study Group 7∗ (SG 7), it is my great pleasure to present this Handbook to all interested people, and to the frequency management community at large who will, I am sure, find it an important reference tool in their own work. The Handbook could not have been completed without the contributions from many