international pool would be cost saving and would likely recapture and reemphasize U.S. leadership. An additional advantage of such policy would be that it would further undercut any argument by the equatorial countries that the current system is inequitable inasmuch as the benefits of outer space utilization accrue only to the space powers. A disadvantage may be a possible sharing of U.S. control over the SPS, should the United States accept such sharing. In the implementation of its proposal the United States may conveniently utilize almost all avenues of international cooperation to arrive at an agreement. On the politico-legal level the global approach may be initiated at the United Nations both before the General Assembly and UNCOPUOS and its Legal Subcommittee. With respect to global approach at the technical level, the resources and rich experience of ITU-related bodies should be fully utilized in helping to investigate all relevant aspects of the SPS, including the effects of massive microwave power transmission on radio services. The Technical Subcommittee of UNCOPUOS may provide further input and guidance as necessary. On a less than global level, the experience of INTELSAT may provide useful insights to draw upon for possible framework. Regional agreements in some regions may be more difficult to negotiate but opportunities for such should be explored especially with the Organization of American States. Insofar as bilateral cooperation is concerned current research agreements on solar energy between the U.S. and other countries could be amended to include cooperation in the development of SPS in whatever form it may be agreed upon.
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