Ground stations are the link between the control system and a satellite in orbit. They track a satellite's signal to find it's location, and the status of equipment onboard and distribute that information to interested parties. They are also used to transmit operational signals back to the satellite to help control it.
Data collection, receiving or processing facilities located on the ground used to receive imagery from satellites.
The satellite equipment located on the ground that controls the satellite and the information that is sent and received by the satellite.
Stations which receive Argos data from the satellites. There are two types: Three main ground stations, also known as telemetry stations. Two of the stations are NOAA's Command & Data Acquisition (CDA) stations, at Wallops Island and Fairbanks in the United States. These stations command the satellites to retransmit the data once per orbital revolution. The third is an acquisition station operated by the Centre de Météorologie Spatiale in Lannion, France. The main ground stations also act as regional receiving stations. Regional receiving stations, receiving data in real time from within their visibility circle during satellite passes in simultaneous visibility of the station and transmitters. Regional receiving stations often provide results within 20 minutes of satellite reception of your transmitter's messages.
Receiving equipment (typically a small dish antenna, radio receiver and computer equipment) to detect the signals transmitted by the satellite and decode the data for display on a screen.
An alternative expression for Earth Station. G/T See Figure of Merit.
A radio station, on or near the surface of the Earth, designed to transmit or receive to/from a spacecraft.
An assemblage of communications equipment, including signal generator, transmitter, receiver, and antenna, that receives (and usually transmits) signals to/from a communications satellite. Also called earth station.
Collection of communications equipment designed to receive signals from (and usually transmit signals to) satellites. Also called a downlink station.