Which amateur stations are eligible to operate as Earth stations?

In amateur radio, an "Earth station" is simply any amateur station located on or near the Earth's surface that is intended for communications with a space station. FCC Part 97.209 permits any licensed amateur station to operate as an Earth station. There are no special license class requirements (such as holding an Amateur Extra or General ticket) or mandatory space communication courses required just to talk to a satellite. The only limitation is that the station must operate within the standard frequency privileges granted by the control operator's current license class.