Inter-satellite service explained

Inter-satellite service (also: inter-satellite radiocommunication service) is – according to Article 1.22 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR)^[1] – defined as A radiocommunication service providing links between artificial satellites.

Classification

In accordance with ITU Radio Regulations (article 1) variations of this radiocommunication service are classified as follows:

• Fixed service (article 1.20)
  • Fixed-satellite service (article 1.21)

Inter-satellite service (article 1.22)

• • Earth exploration-satellite service (article 1.51)
    • Meteorological-satellite service (article 1.52)

Satellites

Inter-satellite radiocommunications satellites

• U.S. Tracking and Data Relay Satellite
• Artemis (satellite)
• European Data Relay System
• Indian Data Relay Satellite System
• Luch (satellite) (Russia)
• Tianlian I (China)

Commercial satellite constellations with inter-satellite communication

• Iridium
• Starlink
• Kuiper Systems

See also

• Communications satellite
• Radio station
• Wireless mesh network
• Laser communication in space

References / sources

1. ITU Radio Regulations, Section IV. Radio Stations and Systems – Article 1.22, definition: inter-satellite service / inter-satellite radiocommunication service

• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
• Earth exploration-satellite service. ITU, Genf 2011.