LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS There are several legal concerns which must be dealt with before SPS deployment can become widespread: (1) Interaction with other uses of the geostationary orbit, or other potential orbits; (2) Environmental regulations and specifications; (3) Military utilization of the power generated by SPS; (4) Sharing of investment and return, in accordance with the principle of “common heritage.” MILITARY IMPLICATIONS There are three considerations: vulnerability of SPS; the military use of its technologies; and military use of the power generated by an SPS. (1) Vulnerability. Is a privately or nationally owned SPS considered as national property, or as a type of ship or airplane? This will affect its political sensitivity as a target. An SPS could be attacked by missiles, directed-energy weapons, orbited debris, or nuclear weapons. It could be defended by evasion hardening, or defensive (anti-missile) weapons. None of these modes of attack or defense are truly practical or viable. (2) Use of SPS power. Although possible, it is far more practical to use dedicated compact, maneuverable (or hardenable) military-oriented power sources. SPS is not practical for this use. (3) Use of SPS technology. This is a definite possibility. However, the entire question would be resolved if the system were to be international rather than national in nature, viz., INTELSAT. PRIOR ACTIVITIES A number of nations have studied various aspects of SPS: (1) USA. A major study was performed by DOE/NASA; subsequent studies were developed by NAS, OTA and others. (2) Europe. Studies were undertaken by ESA, FRG, UK, France and others, as reported regularly at the annual IAF Congresses and other special meetings. (3) Japan. There have been substantive studies of the environmental implications of SPS transmissions. (4) USSR. There have been several comprehensive reviews and several verbal statements made about SPS activity, but there is no evidence of any research activity.
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