SUMMARY The proposed Satellite Power System, (SPS) would put structures in space which would reflect light to earth. A report on the characteristics of this light was prepared by scientist at the Boeing Company. This report was used as the basis for studies of the possible effects of that light on the human eye, on plants and on animals. For the human eye two of the "worst cases" of reflected light, which could occur, might cause eye damage if viewed for too long. 1. If, while in low earth orbit, the orbital transfer vehicle were misaligned to reflect the sun to earth there would be a maximum safe fixation time for the naked eye of 42.5 seconds. If tracked by hand-held binoculars or a small telescope the maximum safe fixation time could be reduced to as little as 0.84 seconds. 2. Reflection from the aluminum paint on the back of the orbital transfer vehicle, while in or near low earth orbit, could be safely viewed by the naked eye for a maximum of 129 seconds. With 7 power magnification the maximum safe viewing time would be only 2.5 seconds. In the other cases presented in the Boeing Report there appears to be no danger of damage to the human eye. For p!ants and animals, though in-depths studies of some species might indicate some problems, the tentative conclusions are that the intensity and timing of the light would be such that major problems would not be expected. The Boeing Report proposes ways for reducing and/or eliminating the irradiances. These proposed design changes may increase cost and slightly reduce the efficiency of SPS but they do indicate that steps can be taken to ameliorate the reflected light problem. If such changes could be made, the possibility of reflected light impacts on biological systems would be much reduced or eliminated entirely.
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