RECOMMENDATIONS Beyond the conclusions noted above, the working groups made several recommendations for further study to account for information which is not yet adequate for a complete assessment of SPS effects on astronomy and aeronomy. Satellites as a source of light pollution are a phenomenon new to optical astronomy. While an attempt was made to assess as much of the potential impact as possible, the optical astronomy working group recommended four areas for future study: 1. Diffuse Reflectivity - Most of the effects discussed by the group are a direct function of the diffuse reflectivity. Baffling systems should be investigated as a way of lowering the reflectivity. Each evolving design for power satellites should include a calculated meaningful estimate of the reflectivity and its potential for change over the orbital lifetime of the system. If active baffling were adopted, the effect of its failure or any system failure on the reflectivity should be estimated. 2. Low Earth Orbit Structures - It was recommended that the design of these structures be brought to a level which would permit their reflectivity to be computed and the impact assessed.* 3. Atmospheric Effects - Calculations of the effect of the satellites on sky brightness should be carried out for those meteorological conditions appropriate to real observatories.* * Since the workshop, the Department of Energy has initiated a study to characterize reflected light from the SPS Reference System, including structures in low earth orbit. Also, a study of tropospheric light scatter has been started.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==