The ITU as a means of facilitating international collaboration on space radiocommunication systems

The role of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in the international collaboration in the field of space radio communications is reviewed. The history of the ITU, its structure and activities, and the functions of the permanent organs of the ITU are briefly discussed. Attention is then given to new space service applications for communications around 400 MHz, space services near 2 GHz, new space service applications above 20 GHz, and links for future planetary missions. The discussion also covers deep space allocations near 32/34 GHz, space VLBI applications, new earth exploration satellite service applications, and future work.