WRC 2027 Agenda Item Details

This agenda item is consider studies on frequency-related matters, including possible new or modified space research service (space-to-space) allocations, for future development of communications on the lunar surface and between lunar orbit and the lunar surface. The ITU-R is invited to:

1. study the spectrum needs of systems in the SRS which may operate on the lunar surface or systems in lunar orbit communicating with systems on the lunar surface, in the frequency ranges:
   • 390 - 406.1 MHz, 420 - 430 MHz and 440 - 450 MHz outside the shielded zone of the Moon (SZM)
   • 2 400 - 2 690 MHz, 3 500 - 3 800 MHz, 5 150 - 5 725 MHz, 5 775 - 5 925 MHz, 7 190 - 7 235 MHz, 8 450 - 8 500 MHz and 25.25 - 28.35 GHz
2. study the technical and operational characteristics as well as protection criteria of systems in the SRS that are planned for operation in the frequency bands above as well as protection criteria to be applied for the protection of the radio astronomy service (RAS) and SRS active and passive sensors on the lunar surface and in lunar orbit
3. study the propagation considerations for lunar surface systems and lunar-orbiting systems operating in the frequencies above
4. study sharing and compatibility related to systems in the SRS that are planned for operation in the frequency ranges above to ensure protection of radiocommunication services in these bands (SRS, FSS, BSS, ISS, EESS, ISM, fixed, mobile etc.) and in particular the RAS
5. study potential new or modified frequency allocations and/or identifications to the SRS with appropriate regulatory provisions, for communications on the lunar surface or in lunar orbit communicating with systems on the lunar surface
6. to study spectrum needs for lunar communications which may be needed for communications between the Earth, lunar-orbiting spacecraft and the lunar surface
7. to study whether future radiocommunication systems in the vicinity of the Moon can be accommodated within existing SRS and whether the regulatory provisions described in the Radio Regulations are sufficient

With the exception of the last item, WRC-27 is invited to review the results of these studies and take necessary actions, as appropriate

If you have a 5G base station or fixed link on the moon, is it in the mobile or fixed service or is it part of the space research service (space-to-space)? Is there a need for a table of allocations for the Moon, Mars and other celestial bodies? Clearly, expansion of human presence on the moon is likely to result in a range of radio services and it is fair to ask if that requires a different regulatory regime, one that takes account of their differences. Note how the frequencies listed in this agenda item include some of those used for RLANs and 5G.

We have developed the Visualyse Interplanetary version of Visualyse Professional for this type of analysis work. It contains all the tools and features of Visualyse Professional but is able to model operation of station on and around celestial bodies other than the Earth. It is therefore possible to put stations on the surface of the Moon or in orbit around it and undertake simulations involving any other service, including those on Earth. We can model a 5G system on the surface of the Moon as well as on the Earth, including the gain pattern, deployments and link characteristics. We can model mobile, fixed, MSS, FSS, BSS, SRS, RAS, EESS, ISM, ISS and any other service covered by this agenda item. Visualyse tools can use a range of modelling methodologies including static, area, dynamic or Monte Carlo and consider both co-frequency and non-co-frequency scenarios.

We can undertake studies including analysis of sharing between the different services covered by this agenda item including system on the surface of the Moon or those on the lunar surface communicating with stations in orbit and sharing with any other service under this agenda item including SRS, FSS, BSS, fixed, mobile, EESS, ISM, ISS, RAS, etc We can help identify suitable system characteristics and sharing criteria, and provide contributions and representation at ITU-R Working Parties. Using our in house Visualyse Professional and Visualyse Interplanetary we can quickly model a very wide range of systems, services and scenarios.