earth station

American  

noun

1. a terminal equipped to receive, or receive and transmit, signals from or to communications satellites.

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earth station Scientific  

1. An on-ground radio communication site used for tracking, controlling, or otherwise communicating with spacecraft or satellites.

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Etymology

Origin of earth station

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

A US aerospace company has announced plans to buy a satellite earth station in Cornwall.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

A satellite earth station in Cornwall is set to play a role in Nasa launching its Artemis II mission to the Moon.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

"There will probably be 10,000 more of these things sold next year," enthuses Dave Bondon, president of a Hightstown, N.J., electronics subsidiary that makes earth station antennas.

From Time Magazine Archive

An earth station pulls in a signal from one of the twelve U.S. and Canadian communication satellites beaming down from a fixed position 22,300 miles above the equator�what vid-whizzes call a "geosynchronous orbit."

From Time Magazine Archive

"Unless the one at your earth station has its receiver operating at the right moment you will simply flash on endlessly as radio waves—will be annihilated."

From Astounding Stories, April, 1931 by Various