Editing Earth observation satellite (section)

==International regulations==
[[File:RapidEye Satellites Artist Impression.jpg|thumb|250px|[[RapidEye]] ''Earth exploration-satellite system'' in action around the Earth.]]

According to the [[International Telecommunication Union]] (ITU), '''Earth exploration-satellite service''' (also: '''Earth exploration-satellite radiocommunication service''') is – according to ''Article 1.51'' of the [[ITU Radio Regulations]] (RR)<ref>ITU Radio Regulations, Section IV. Radio Stations and Systems – Article 1.51, definition: ''earth exploration-satellite service / earth exploration-satellite radiocommunication service''</ref> – defined as:
<blockquote>A [[radiocommunication service]] between [[earth station]]s and one or more [[radio space station|space station]]s, which may include links between space stations, in which:
*information relating to the characteristics of the Earth and its natural phenomena, including data relating to the state of the environment, is obtained from passive or [[Radar|active sensors]] on [[satellites]]; 
*similar information is collected from airborne or Earth-based platforms;
*such information may be distributed to earth stations within the system concerned;
*platform interrogation may be included.
This service may also include feeder links necessary for its operation.</blockquote>

===Classification===
This ''radiocommunication service'' is classified in accordance with ''ITU Radio Regulations'' (article 1) as follows:{{cn|date=March 2024}} <br />
[[Fixed service]] (article 1.20)
*[[Fixed-satellite service]] (article 1.21)
*[[Inter-satellite service]] (article 1.22)
*<span style="color:#060;">'''Earth exploration-satellite service'''</span>
**[[Meteorological-satellite service]] (article 1.52)

===Frequency allocation===
The allocation of radio frequencies is provided according to ''Article 5'' of the ITU Radio Regulations (edition 2012).<ref>''ITU Radio Regulations, CHAPTER II – Frequencies, ARTICLE 5 Frequency allocations, Section IV – Table of Frequency Allocations''</ref>

In order to improve harmonisation in spectrum utilisation, the majority of service-allocations stipulated in this document were incorporated in national Tables of Frequency Allocations and Utilisations which is with-in the responsibility of the appropriate national administration. The allocation might be primary, secondary, exclusive, and shared.
*primary allocation:  is indicated by writing in capital letters (see example below)
*secondary allocation: is indicated by small letters
*exclusive or shared utilization: is within the responsibility of administrations 
However, military usage, in bands where there is civil usage, will be in accordance with the ITU Radio Regulations.

; Example of [[frequency allocation]]:
{| class=wikitable
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center"
|align="center" colspan="3"| '''Allocation to services'''
|- align="center"
| [[International Telecommunication Union region|Region 1]] || Region 2 || Region 3
|-
|colspan="3"|401-402&nbsp;MHz &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; METEOROLOGICAL AIDS<br />
::::: SPACE OPERATION (space-to-Earth) <br />EARTH EXPLORATION-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space) <br />METEOROLOGICAL-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space)<br />Fixed <br />Mobile except aeronautical mobile
|-
|colspan="3"|13.4-13.75&nbsp;GHz &nbsp;&nbsp;'''EARTH EXPLORATION-SATELLITE (active)'''<br />
::::: RADIOLOCATION<br />SPACE RESEARCH<br />Standard frequency and time signal-satellite (Earth-to-space) 
|-
|}