tions and impact; (e) organization of viewing arrangements and of post-programme follow-up (“utilization”), including ensuring of actual availability of recommended items, training of teachers for optimal use of the system, etc.; and (f) an efficient field maintenance system. Utilization of GSO cannot be considered in isolation: the associated issue of use of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum must be simultaneously looked at. The RF spectrum is also — like GSO — a limited (in practice) though nondepleting resource. While in theory it does extend indefinitely, practical constraints limit its present use to a comparatively small band. Hence, its optimal use also requires planning and/or arrangements. It is in the light of this that the members of ITU have been making concerted efforts to evolve systems for planning and regulating the use of the GSO and the RF spectrum since 1963. It is noted that the forthcoming ITU Conferences in 1985 and 1987, which will continue this process in the light of technical progress and in the light of the broad considerations outlined here, will decide, in accordance with resolution 3 of WARC 1979, which space services and frequency bands should be planned. GSO is getting increasingly crowded with objects that have outlived their utility. While the danger of collision or physical damage by these objects to active satellites is yet small, this is a problem that is likely to become more serious in the future. Therefore, ITU should examine the feasibility of incorporating in its future regulations a stipulation that a satellite owner is responsible for removing its satellites from GSO when they are no longer in use. In noting the phenomenal growth in the use of GSO — especially for communication satellites — and the consequent usage of RF spectrum, it may become necessary for each country or international organization to examine whether all the satellites it is operating are really required. Increasing numbers of satellites are being used for various purposes by different countries. To the extent that these systems use national resources, it is the concern of the country involved. However, these systems use increasing amounts of a limited resource that is for use by all States. It is therefore desirable that Member States, within the ITU continue to evolve some criteria for the most equitable and efficient usage of GSO and the RF spectrum and to develop planning methods and/or arrangements that are based on the genuine needs, both present and future, identified by each country. (Clearly, such a planning method should emphasize those uses which promote development, including education. It should also ensure equity, consider the needs of developing tropical and far-northern countries, and take into account the special interest of the equatorial countries.) For certain purposes and locations, it may not be essential to use GSO. Since increasing concerns have been expressed regarding the congestion of GSO, countries should also examine whether for their needs they could use a satellite in elliptical orbit rather than in GSO. Similarly, the feasibility and overall advantages of using elliptical orbits for international communication merit re-examination. It needs to be noted that the development efforts undertaken by the technologically advanced nations have resulted in new techniques that contribute to more efficient use of GSO and of the RF spectrum. These efforts must be encouraged and continued, for success in this could effectively increase the capacity of GSO and thereby alleviate possible pressures on its use. New developments in the field of fiber-optic technology are also likely to contribute positively, by directing high-capacity traffic on transcontinental and transoceanic routes to optical fibre systems. In conclusion, considering the long-term implications of the growing activities in GSO, any solution on the use of GSO should be both equitable and flexible and take into consideration the economic, technical and legal aspects (2). At UNISPACE 1982, the author witnessed very considerable consensus adjustments to the above language by some 121 nations and NGOs represented there. While much of it involved semantics, complicated by the use of several languages, there was ultimately substantive real consensus to the above, as so adjusted. The future of DBS was directly accelerated by the UNISPACE 1982 Conference. The final UNISPACE 1982 official United Nations Report on UNISPACE 1982 will
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==