MITIGATION Due both to the lack of specific SPS data relative to interference with astronomy and the limited time available for the workshop, mitigation possibilities were not considered in detail. A specific request was made, however, to consider the use of space-based facilities to compensate for interference with earth-based ones. The discussion of space astronomy as a mitigation strategy was quite different for each of the two working groups. The optical group noted that the development of the technology required for the SPS should make it both easier and cheaper to construct and maintain space telescopes. It is also recognized that a great deal of the future of astronomy will depend on developing space astronomy beyond current and planned levels and that some kinds of astronomy can only be done from space. Two problems were noted in association with any proposal that space astronomy might serve as a substitute for lost capability of ground-based telescopes. First, ground-based facilities have historically been used to complement those studies made from space, and SPS could affect that interaction by decreasing the effectiveness of ground-based facilities. Second, it is important to recognize that astronomy is an observational rather than an experimental science. It has not always been obvious what the critical observations are or what the best instruments to pursue them will be. As a result, the diversity of astronomy has been an important source of vitality in research. The working group felt that while astronomy from space is important and desirable, creating a single space facility to replace ground-based facilities would not preserve this vitality.
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