interaction with the microwave beam. Moreover, thermal self-focusing of the microwave beam can generate large-scale density irregularities in the upper ionosphere. These phenomena may cause telecommunication and climatic effects. These will be the objects of an investigation considering not only their independent but also their interactive nature. Although potentially serious environmental impact conditions caused by the SPS may be created, none of these have been observed experimentally so far. Dr. Duncan thought that it would be premature to draw conclusions based on ionospheric studies at this time. The last general subject treated at the conference dealt with political and legal aspects of the SPS. Professor I. H. Ph. Diederiks-Verschoor of the University of Utrecht, Netherlands, discussed specifically the legal status of the GEO. She expressed the thought that regulations should be based on the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 as well as the United Nations Charter. There is, however, the Treaty of Bogota of 1976, according to which eight equatorial nations claim complete and exclusive sovereignity over air and cosmic space segments of the geostationary orbit. Professor Diederiks-Verschoor believes that the operation of the SPS should be subject to the regulations of the International Communications Union. Clearly, many of the, legal aspects will have to be carefully scrutinized and international solutions will have to be found. Within the broad realm of political decisions lie undoubtedly the plans that the U.S. Department of Energy has concerning the SPS. A paper by F. A. Koomanoff of the U.S. Department of Energy, Washington DC, was presented by Dr. F. J. Goldner. Dr. Goldner stated the objective of the present SPS program as “to develop an initial understanding of the technical feasibility, the economic practicability and the social and environmental acceptability of the SPS concept.” This assessment is presently being carried out by DOD and NASA and will be completed soon. Preliminary evaluation has shown that the SPS will not require a major scientific breakthrough, although it will constitute a difficult engineering development project requiring substantial advancements in technology in many areas. Its success will depend “on reduced space-transportation costs, improvements in energy-conversion technology, advances in space structures and operational technology as well as achievement of desired characteristics in transmission of energy from satellite to earth.” In answering a question from the audience, Dr. Goldner admitted that the priority given to the SPS by the DOD was “not very high.” The remaining discussions centered about the international aspects of the SPS. B. H. Chatel of the United Nations Organization in New York pointed out that the UNO took cognizance of the SPS as early as 1976. The Second U.N. Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, to be held in 1982, will probably place a discussion of the SPS on its agenda. Mr. Chatel expressed the hope that a group of international experts could be formed to study the progress made in various countries and submit plans for international cooperation in the area of the SPS. Dr. R. Mayur of the Urban Development Institute in Bombay eloquently expressed the views of developing countries concerning the SPS, emphasizing the situation in India. In his view, the SPS holds particular promise as a source for clean and inexpensive energy to aid in the industrial development of Third World nations. He called for an international cooperative effort for the operation of SPSs which would involve the developing as well as the industrialized nations. Professor J. M. Logsdon of George Washington University, Washington DC, on the other hand, stressed the idea that the SPS development will take place “in the full glare of international political scrutiny.” This will not detract from the likely situation that
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