Space Regulatory Glossary Spectrum

downlink

/ˈdaʊnlɪŋk/ noun, verb

1. The transmission path from a satellite to a ground station, or the signal itself. In satellite communications, the downlink carries data, telemetry, and payload information from orbit to Earth.
2. The frequency band used for this transmission, which differs from the uplink band to avoid interference. Downlink frequencies are typically lower than their corresponding uplink frequencies.

Related terms

uplink The transmission path from a ground station to a satellite, or the signal itself. Uplinks carry commands, software… earth station A ground-based facility equipped to communicate with one or more satellites. Earth stations transmit uplink signals and… transponder A device on a communications satellite that receives an uplink signal, amplifies it, shifts it to a different…

Mentioned in The Downlink

• How Ground Station Licensing Works: A Complete Guide

  Earth station types, FCC licensing steps, frequency coordination, ESIMs, and common mistakes. A plain-language guide to ground station licensing.

• The Downlink: A Space Regulatory Intelligence Blog

  Space regulatory intelligence, satellite filing analysis, and orbital economy insights from the team behind Orbit Sentinel.

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