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Satellite Spectrum Handbook

Welcome to the Satellite Spectrum Handbook! This is an open-source, beginner-friendly resource designed for spectrum managers, regulatory engineers, and policymakers in the field of satellite communications.

Unlike formal ITU (International Telecommunication Union) handbooks, which can be dense and highly technical, this handbook is written in easy-to-understand language. It breaks down complex international treaty frameworks, national landing rights, and orbital physics into clear, accessible concepts.

What We Cover​

The handbook is organized into five core pillars:

Pillar 1: International Governance & Treaty Frameworks​

Learn the global rules of the road. Understand how the ITU-R structures RF spectrum allocations, how the Radio Regulations (RR) treaty functions, and how to navigate the 4-year World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) cycle.

Pillar 2: National Licensing & Global Market Access​

Spectrum is international, but the right to land a signal is strictly national. Learn how to work with national administrations (e.g., FCC in the US, Ofcom in the UK, ISED in Canada) to secure space and earth station licenses, landing rights, and blanket terminal licensing.

Pillar 3: Technical Spectrum Engineering & Coordination​

Explore where policy meets engineering. Understand how operators coordinate overlapping frequencies, GSO vs. NGSO sharing criteria (including EPFD limits), and how emerging technologies like cell-to-satellite (D2D) and optical inter-satellite links fit into current frameworks.

Pillar 4: Orbital Sustainability, Space Safety, & Liability​

Modern licensing is increasingly conditioned on space sustainability. Learn about the new 5-year de-orbiting guideline, casualty risk assessments, international space law liability, and space traffic management (STM).

Pillar 5: Corporate Strategy & Executive Leadership​

Translate complex regulatory blockages into quantified financial and timeline risks for boardrooms, build coalitions, and lead spectrum strategy effectively.

Contributing and Licensing​

This handbook is a community project, and we welcome contributions from spectrum professionals globally!

Please note that this work is published under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license. SCS International LLC retains primary rights, and commercial use is strictly prohibited without prior agreement.