The radio working group, however, concluded that the reconstruction and operation of several hundred million dollars’ worth of existing ground- based radio facilities on the lunar farside would be so expensive that it is not realistic. The following points were noted with regard to mitigating possible SPS effects on earth-based observations: 1. Because of SPS’s orbital location, distance and terrain cannot be used to isolate observatories from the source of interference as has historically been done for earth based interferers. However, effects on radio observatories could be minimized by providing maximum separation between them and SPS rectenna sites (expected to be local interference sources) and locations of strong SPS microwave leakage. 2. Modification of existing radio astronomy receiving systems to reduce SPS interference, e.g., by addition of filters, is possible but would result in some degradation of receiver performance. As mentioned earlier, SPS is not yet fully developed. Mitigating strategies appropriate to reducing potential impacts on astronomy should be accounted for principally by satellite and rectenna designs and engineering practices, including compliance with regulations governing the shared use of the electromagnetic spectrum. The early recognition of potential problems, such as is possible through workshops like the one reported here, is especially important in providing guidance for future SPS development and electromagnetic compatibility.
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