Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies

The Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies (CRAF) is a committee of the European Science Foundation (ESF).

ITU-R Footnote 5.551H:

The equivalent power flux-density (epfd) produced in the band 42.5-43.5 GHz by all space stations in any non-geostationary-satellite system in the fixed-satellite service (space-to-Earth), or in the broadcasting-satellite service (space-to-Earth) operating in the 42-42.5 GHz band, shall not exceed the following values at the site of any radio astronomy station for more than 2% of the time:
–230 dB(W/m2) in 1 GHz and –246 dB(W/m2) in any 500 kHz of the 42.5-43.5 GHz band at the site of any radio astronomy station registered as a single-dish telescope; and
–209 dB(W/m2) in any 500 kHz of the 42.5-43.5 GHz band at the site of any radio astronomy station registered as a very long baseline interferometry station.
These epfd values shall be evaluated using the methodology given in Recommendation ITU-R S.1586 and the reference antenna pattern and the maximum gain of an antenna in the radio astronomy service given in Recommendation ITU-R RA.1631 and shall apply over the whole sky and for elevation angles higher than the minimum operating angle tex2html_wrap_inline9min of the radiotelescope (for which a default value of 5° should be adopted in the absence of notified information).
These values shall apply at any radio astronomy station that either:

  • was in operation prior to the end of WRC-03 and has been notified to ITU before 4 January 2004; or
  • was notified before the date of receipt of the complete Appendix 4 information for coordination or notification, as appropriate, for the space station to which the limits apply.
    Other radio astronomy stations notified after these dates may seek an agreement with administrations that have authorized the space stations. In Region 2, Resolution 743 (WRC-03) shall apply. The limits in this footnote may be exceeded at the site of a radio astronomy station of any country whose administration so agreed. (WRC-03)

    Last modified: August 22, 2003