Space Regulatory Glossary Orbital Mechanics

NGSO

/ɛn dʒiː ɛs oʊ/ noun (abbr.) Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit

1. Non-geostationary satellite orbit. The regulatory umbrella term for any orbit other than geostationary, encompassing LEO and MEO constellations as well as highly elliptical orbits.
2. In FCC and ITU practice, NGSO systems are licensed and coordinated under distinct rules from GEO systems, including FCC processing rounds for NGSO fixed-satellite service applications and spectrum-sharing requirements among NGSO constellations.

Read: FCC Satellite Licensing

Related terms

GEO Geostationary orbit. A circular equatorial orbit at approximately 35,786 km altitude where a satellite's orbital period… LEO Low Earth orbit. An orbit around Earth at altitudes between approximately 160 km and 2,000 km. MEO Medium Earth orbit. The region between low Earth orbit and geostationary orbit, generally defined as altitudes between…

Mentioned in The Downlink

• FCC Satellite Licensing: From Application to Authorization

  Guide to FCC Part 25 satellite licensing: application process, processing rounds, milestones, bonds, filing types, market access, and Part 100.

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