be of a particularly dangerous nature. Certain exceptions to attenuate the risk principle are adopted (16). The Registration Treaty of 1975 will also be applicable on solar satellites. Identification and registration of such satellites are required and information about the details as mentioned in this treaty should be provided to the Secretary-General of the United Nations (17). As far as the function of solar satellites is concerned as energy transmitters they will come within the regulations of the International Telecommunications Union (18), but this pertains more to the technical questions, which I am not discussing. Coming back to our legal discussion one should also be aware of another problem, namely the matter of pollution in outer space. In this respect art. IX of the First Space Treaty of 1967 will be applicable where it states that studies should be pursued and exploration conducted to avoid harmful contamination of outer space and also adverse changes in the environment of the earth resulting from the introduction of extraterrestrial matter and where necessary should adopt appropriate measures for this purpose. During the Round Table Conference in Vienna 1972, the contamination matter of outer space was extensively discussed (19). Such subjects as activities by ruthless exploiters, chemical propellants, disposal of debris, experiments with radioactive material, electromagnetic interference, fuel residues, etc. were considered, but it would take too much time to get more deeply involved with this matter. For solar powered transmitters it could be possible that they would continue transmitting after the experimental or other purpose of the satellite had been fulfilled. Such continued transmission could result in interference with transmission from space vehicles still performing a useful purpose. It will therefore be necessary to provide for termination of transmission at the end of a satellite’s useful life. What will a solar satellite look like and what would it cost? Credit should be accorded to Dr. Peter Glaser, Head of the SUNS AT Energy Council in the U.S., who leads the effort aimed at developing solar power satellites to provide cheap and clean energy to world consumers in the future. He defined solar power satellites as “gigantic satellites equipped with solar panels to collect energy from the sun, put in space 22,300 miles about the earth (20). Such satellites would be 72 square miles in size, weighing up to 20,000 tons, each able to transmit enough energy to meet the electrical needs of one million homes. Dr. Glaser estimates the cost per kilowatt to be about $1500 to $2500, or competitive with the costs of nuclear power plants which would be built at the time when this project will be in use, i.e., in 1995 (21). Although launching capabilities can and are being expanded, due to the gigantic size of these satellites, there must be accommodations between nations with due regard for cooperation in harmony with scientific and technological imperatives. As Mrs. Galloway recommends (22), an objective study should be made of practicable plans for launching satellites, economic and political factors, fair and equitable arrangements for guaranteeing “equal access” to activities designed to bring worldwide benefits from outer space. This multidisciplinary problem cannot be appropriately handled by legal words alone but must be based on factual information, a realistic appraisal of the ruling situation, and an appropriate plan for the future. Now we come to the next question: Can solar energy be freely used by all? Okolie (23) is in favour of a Solar Energy Bank for mankind. He is of the opinion that such a bank, when created on an international level, will carry on the financing of research and development. Moreover, Okolie holds it desirable that through the operation of
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