Spectrum Management Office
OVERVIEW
Per NASA policy and procedural requirements, any NASA satellite or communications system that requires the use of the electromagnetic spectrum for transmission, reception or both shall follow U.S. and international spectrum regulations. This includes missions directly developed and operated by NASA and those supported through contracts or other financial agreements.
The Goddard Spectrum Management office provides support to projects at each review in the project lifecycle and assists with design and spectrum considerations, such as frequency selection, conformance to regulatory constraints and other electromagnetic spectrum parameters. The Goddard Spectrum Management office is also responsible for obtaining the required equipment certification and frequency authorization for all Goddard and NASA missions using S-band.
Due to a lead time of three or more years, every project must contact the Spectrum Management office early in the project life cycle to discuss their communication and instrument spectrum requirements in order to avoid cost and schedule delays.
For more information, contact:
GSFC Spectrum Office
gsfc-smo-bounces@lists.nasa.gov
GSFC Spectrum Manager
Lisa Cacciatore
Email: Lisa.E.Cacciatore@nasa.gov
Phone: 301-286-7461
HISTORY
Today, space communications and navigation is operated through NASA’s three networks: the Deep Space Network, the Near Earth Network and the Space Network. But, before these robust networks existed, space communications was still a critical component of each NASA mission, enabling science data transmission and Apollo astronaut communication. As our presence in space increased, so did our communications requirements, leading to the development of NASA’s spectrum program. Goddard’s spectrum management is operated out of the Exploration and Space Communications projects division. NASA spectrum offices work with commercial companies, other government agencies and international partners, frequently traveling across the world to coordinate spectrum allotments. It is through their efforts, NASA missions can reliably communicate with Earth without interference.