Ground segment

A ground segment consists of all the ground-based elements of a space system used by operators and support personnel, as opposed to the space segment and user segment.^[1]^[2]^: 1 The ground segment enables management of a spacecraft, and distribution of payload data and telemetry among interested parties on the ground. The primary elements of a ground segment are:

Ground (or Earth) stations, which provide radio interfaces with spacecraft^[2]^: 142
Mission control (or operations) centers, from which spacecraft are managed^[3]^: 20
Remote terminals, used by support personnel^[2]^: 142
Spacecraft integration and test facilities
Launch facilities^[3]^: 21
Ground networks, which allow for communication between the other ground elements^[2]^: 142^[4]

These elements are present in nearly all space missions, whether commercial, military, or scientific. They may be located together or separated geographically, and they may be operated by different parties.^[5]^[6]^: 25 Some elements may support multiple spacecraft simultaneously.^[7]^{: 480, 481}

^ Cite error: The named reference jsat_intro was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Cite error: The named reference elbert was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference ley was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference esa_ers was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference esa_copernicus was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference reiniger was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Fortescue-GS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[jsat_intro-1] Cite error: The named reference jsat_intro was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[elbert-2] Cite error: The named reference elbert was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[ley-3] Cite error: The named reference ley was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[esa_ers-4] Cite error: The named reference esa_ers was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[esa_copernicus-5] Cite error: The named reference esa_copernicus was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[reiniger-6] Cite error: The named reference reiniger was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Fortescue-GS-7] Cite error: The named reference Fortescue-GS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]