July 25, 2001

Donald Abelson

Chief of the International Bureau

Federal Communications Commission

445 12th Street SW

Washington, D.C. 20554

Dear Mr. Abelson:

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration on behalf
of the Executive Branch Agencies, has approved the release of three
additional Draft Executive Branch (NTIA) proposals considering federal
agency inputs toward the development of the U.S. Proposals for WRC-2003.

Enclosed are three proposals that address WRC-03 agenda item 1.12. This
agenda item deals with allocations and regulatory issues related to the
space science services. These proposals are forwarded for your
consideration and review by the WRC-2003 Advisory Committee. Karl Nebbia
from my staff will contact Julie Garcia and reconcile any differences.

> Sincerely,
>
> *(Original Signed July 25, 2001)*
>
> William T. Hatch
>
> Associate Administrator
>
> Office of Spectrum Management

Enclosure

United States of America

**PROPOSALS FOR THE WORK OF THE CONFERENCE**

# Agenda Item 1.12 (b): to consider allocations and regulatory issues related to the space science services in accordance with Resolution 723 (Rev. WRC-2000) and to review all Earth exploration-satellite service and space research service allocations between 35 and 38 GHz, taking into account Resolution 730(WRC-2000);

**Background Information:** The 7 145-7 235 MHz band is allocated by
footnote **S5.460** on a primary basis to the space research service
(Earth-to-space), subject to agreement under No. **S9.21**. The
companion downlink band, 8 400-8 500 MHz, is allocated on a primary
basis in the Table of Frequency Allocations. These bands are used on a
worldwide basis for cross-support in accordance with international
agreements concluded between a number of space agencies. The footnote
calling for agreement under No. **S9.21** was originally applied at
**WARC-ST-71** because the coordination parameters necessary for Earth
station coordination were not agreed at that time. Currently, Appendix
**S7** contains these coordination parameters for transmitting Earth
stations for the space research service in the 7 145-7 235 MHz band.
Therefore, the premise behind requiring agreement under No. **S9.21** no
longer exists.

**Proposal:**

**ARTICLE S5**

**Frequency Allocations**

**7 **075-7 250 MHz

+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+
|            | **Allocation to  |                  |                  |
|            | Services**       |                  |                  |
+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+
|            | **Region 1**     | **Region 2**     | **Region 3**     |
+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+
| **USA/ /** | **7** **075-[7]  |                  |                  |
|            | {.underline}**[  |                  |                  |
| **MOD**    | **145**]{.underl |                  |                  |
|            | ine}**~~7250~~** |                  |                  |
|            | FIXED            |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | #####  MOBILE    |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | S5.458 S5.459    |                  |                  |
|            | ~~S5.460~~       |                  |                  |
+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+
| **USA/ /** | #####            |                  |                  |
|            |  [7 145-7 235]{. |                  |                  |
| **MOD**    | underline} FIXED |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | #####  MOBILE    |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | [SPACE RESEARCH  |                  |                  |
|            | (Earth-to-space) |                  |                  |
|            | **MOD**          |                  |                  |
|            | S5.              |                  |                  |
|            | 460]{.underline} |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | S5.458 S5.459    |                  |                  |
|            | ~~S5.460~~       |                  |                  |
+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+
| **USA/ /** | #### 7           |                  |                  |
|            |  235-7 250 FIXED |                  |                  |
| **MOD**    |                  |                  |                  |
|            | #####  MOBILE    |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | S5.458 S5.459    |                  |                  |
|            | ~~S5.460~~       |                  |                  |
+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+

**Reasons:** To incorporate in the Table of Frequency Allocations the
existing primary allocation to the space research service in the band
7 145-7 235 MHz under No. **S5.460**.

**USA/ /**

**MOD**

**S5.460** ~~*Additional allocation:* the band 7~~ ~~145-7~~ ~~235 MHz
is also allocated to the space research (Earth-to-space) service on a
primary basis, subject to agreement obtained under Article 14/No.
**S9.21**.~~ The use of the band 7 145-7 190 MHz [by the space research
service]{.underline} is restricted to deep space; no emissions to deep
space shall be effected in the band 7 190-7 235 MHz.

**Reasons:** These changes are consequential to the table amendments
offered above.

**United States of America**

**PROPOSALS FOR THE WORK OF THE CONFERENCE**

# Agenda Item 1.12 (d): to consider allocations and regulatory issues related to the space science services in accordance with Resolution 723 (Rev. WRC-2000) and to review all Earth exploration-satellite service and space research service allocations between 35 and 38 GHz, taking into account Resolution 730 (WRC-2000);

**Background Information:** Signals received on Earth from spacecraft in
deep space are extremely weak and highly susceptible to interference of
all kinds. In particular, the presence of near-Earth airborne and
spaceborne interference sources can easily overwhelm the desired (but
extremely weak) signal from deep space. Geographic isolation is not
possible in the case of near-Earth orbiting spacecraft sharing the same
band with space research (deep space). To satisfy present and future
science deep space data return requirements, heavy reliance is being
placed on space-to-Earth links in the 31.8-32.3 GHz band. The lack of
compatibility between the inter-satellite service and the space research
service (deep space) has been demonstrated within ITU-R Studies and is
documented in Recommendation ITU-R SA.1016.

**Proposal:**

**ARTICLE S5**

**Frequency Allocations**

29.9-34.2 GHz

+-----------+-----------------+-----------------+---------------------+
|           | **Allocation to |                 |                     |
|           | services**      |                 |                     |
+-----------+-----------------+-----------------+---------------------+
|           | **Region 1**    | **Region 2**    | **Region 3**        |
+-----------+-----------------+-----------------+---------------------+
| **USA/    | **31.8-32**     |                 |                     |
| /**       | FIXED S5.547A   |                 |                     |
|           |                 |                 |                     |
| **MOD**   | RADIONAVIGATION |                 |                     |
|           |                 |                 |                     |
|           | SPACE RESEARCH  |                 |                     |
|           | (deep space)    |                 |                     |
|           | (               |                 |                     |
|           | space-to-Earth) |                 |                     |
|           |                 |                 |                     |
|           | S5.547 S5.547B  |                 |                     |
|           | **MOD** S5.548  |                 |                     |
+-----------+-----------------+-----------------+---------------------+
| **USA/    | **32-32.3**     |                 |                     |
| /**       | FIXED S5.547A   |                 |                     |
|           |                 |                 |                     |
| **MOD**   | ~~IN            |                 |                     |
|           | TER-SATELLITE~~ |                 |                     |
|           |                 |                 |                     |
|           | RADIONAVIGATION |                 |                     |
|           |                 |                 |                     |
|           | SPACE RESEARCH  |                 |                     |
|           | (deep space)    |                 |                     |
|           | (               |                 |                     |
|           | space-to-Earth) |                 |                     |
|           |                 |                 |                     |
|           | S5.547 **MOD**  |                 |                     |
|           | S5.547C **MOD** |                 |                     |
|           | S5.548          |                 |                     |
+-----------+-----------------+-----------------+---------------------+
| **USA/    | **32.3-33**     |                 |                     |
| /**       | FIXED S5.547A   |                 |                     |
|           |                 |                 |                     |
| **MOD**   | INTER-SATELLITE |                 |                     |
|           |                 |                 |                     |
|           | RADIONAVIGATION |                 |                     |
|           |                 |                 |                     |
|           | S5.547 S5.547D  |                 |                     |
|           | **MOD** S5.548  |                 |                     |
+-----------+-----------------+-----------------+---------------------+

**Reasons:** To protect the reception of deep-space space research
service communications signals from harmful interference.

**USA/ /**

**MOD**

**S5.547C** *Alternative allocation*: in the United States, the band
32-32.3 GHz is allocated to the ~~inter-satellite,~~ radionavigation and
space research (deep space) (space-to-Earth) services on a primary
basis. (WRC-97)

**Reasons:** This change is consequential to the table amendment offered
above.

**USA/ /**

**MOD**

**S5.548** In designing systems for the inter-satellite [service in the
band 32.3-33 GHz,]{.underline} ~~and~~ [for the]{.underline}
radionavigation service~~s~~ in the band 32 - 33 GHz, and for the space
research service (deep space) in the band 31.8-32.3 GHz, administrations
shall take all necessary measures to prevent harmful interference
between these services, bearing in mind the safety aspects of the
radionavigation service (see Recommendation **707**).

**Reasons:** This change is consequential to the table amendment offered
above.

United States of America

**PROPOSALS FOR THE WORK OF THE CONFERENCE**

**Agenda Item 1.12 (e):** to consider allocations and regulatory issues
related to the space science services in accordance with Resolution
**723 (Rev.WRC-2000)** and to review all Earth exploration-satellite
service and space research service allocations between 35 and 38 GHz,
taking into account Resolution **730 (WRC-2000)**;

**Background Information:** Resolution **730 (WRC-2000)**, resolves

1 to invite ITU-R to study sharing between spaceborne precipitation
radars and other services in the band 35.5-35.6 GHz;

2.  to recommend that WRC-03 review the results of those studies and
    consider the removal of the restriction currently contained in No.
    **S5.551A** on spaceborne precipitation radars operating in the
    Earth exploration-satellite service in the band 35.5-35.6 GHz.

The frequency band 35.5 -- 36 GHz is allocated to the Earth
exploration-satellite (active) service on a primary basis limited by
footnote **S5.551A** and is also allocated to the meteorological aids
and radiolocation services on a primary basis. Prior to WRC-97,
operation by radars located on spacecraft on a primary basis was
permitted in the band 35.5 -- 35.6 GHz by footnote **S5.551 (SUP
WRC-97)**. This 100 MHz band is used by precipitation radars located on
spacecraft. Furthermore, studies have shown that sharing between
spaceborne active sensors and radiolocation systems in the band 35.5 --
36 GHz is feasible, as indicated in § 5.7.2.1 of Chapter 5 of the CPM-97
Report. ITU-R Joint Working Party 7-8R, which studied compatibility
between spaceborne active sensors and other services prior to WRC-97,
noted that in the band 33.4 -- 36 GHz, compatibility analysis between
spaceborne altimeters and scatterometers and terrestrial radars in the
radiolocation service indicated that interference from these spaceborne
active sensors into the radiolocation systems would not exceed the
interference criteria for terrestrial radiolocation systems that are in
normal use. JWP 7-8R also examined the compatibility of active sensors
with radiolocation systems from the aspect of potential interference
from these radiolocation systems into altimeters and scatterometers and
concluded that interference into these sensors would not exceed their
interference criteria. JWP 7-8R and subsequently CPM-97 concluded that
compatibility between known spaceborne active sensors and radiolocation
systems in the 33.4 -- 36 GHz band existed and that an allocation of 500
MHz in this frequency range should be made. Therefore, there was no
technical reason to apply the footnote **S5.551A** to the table
allocation for the Earth exploration-satellite (active) and space
research (active) services in the 35.5 - 36 GHz band.

With respect to the EESS (passive) and SRS (passive) allocations in the
band 36 -- 37 GHz and the space research service allocation in the band
37 -- 38 GHz, there have been no changes in the requirements for these
allocations, nor have there been changes in the sharing conditions in
these bands that would warrant any changes.

**Proposal:**

**ARTICLE S5**

**Frequency Allocations**

+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+
|            | **35.5-36 GHz**  |                  |                  |
+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+
|            | **Allocation to  |                  |                  |
|            | services**       |                  |                  |
+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+
|            | **Region 1**     | **Region 2**     | **Region 3**     |
+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+
| USA/ /     | **35.5-36**      |                  |                  |
|            | EARTH            |                  |                  |
| **MOD**    | EXPLO            |                  |                  |
|            | RATION-SATELLITE |                  |                  |
|            | (active)         |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | METEOROLOGICAL   |                  |                  |
|            | AIDS             |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | RADIOLOCATION    |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | SPACE RESEARCH   |                  |                  |
|            | (active)         |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | S5.549           |                  |                  |
|            | ~~S5.551A~~      |                  |                  |
+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+

USA/ /

**SUP**

**~~S5.551A~~**

**Reasons**: Based on demonstrated compatibility between active sensors
in the earth exploration-satellite and space research services and the
other services allocated on a primary basis in the 35.5 - 36 GHz band,
the restrictions in this footnote are not necessary and the footnote
should be suppressed.

+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+
|            | **36-38 GHz**    |                  |                  |
+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+
|            | **Allocation to  |                  |                  |
|            | services**       |                  |                  |
+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+
|            | **Region 1**     | **Region 2**     | **Region 3**     |
+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+
| USA/ /     | **36-37** EARTH  |                  |                  |
|            | EXPLO            |                  |                  |
| *          | RATION-SATELLITE |                  |                  |
| *[NOC]{.un | (passive)        |                  |                  |
| derline}** |                  |                  |                  |
|            | FIXED            |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | MOBILE           |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | SPACE RESEARCH   |                  |                  |
|            | (passive)        |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | S5.149           |                  |                  |
+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+
| USA/ /     | **37-37.5**      |                  |                  |
|            | FIXED            |                  |                  |
| *          |                  |                  |                  |
| *[NOC]{.un | MOBILE           |                  |                  |
| derline}** |                  |                  |                  |
|            | SPACE RESEARCH   |                  |                  |
|            | (space-to-Earth) |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | S5.547           |                  |                  |
+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+
| USA/ /     | 38. FIXED        |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
| *          | FIXED-SATELLITE  |                  |                  |
| *[NOC]{.un | (space-to-Earth) |                  |                  |
| derline}** |                  |                  |                  |
|            | MOBILE           |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | SPACE RESEARCH   |                  |                  |
|            | (space-to-Earth) |                  |                  |
|            |                  |                  |                  |
|            | Earth            |                  |                  |
|            | explo            |                  |                  |
|            | ration-satellite |                  |                  |
|            | (space-to-Earth) |                  |                  |
|            | S5.551AA S5.547  |                  |                  |
+------------+------------------+------------------+------------------+

**Reasons**: There have been no changes in the requirements for these
allocations, nor have there been changes in the sharing conditions in
these bands that would warrant any changes.