Executive Summary This study identifies the problems in obtaining international agreements on geostationary orbit availability, microwave frequency allocations and microwave frequency standards for satellites transmitting solar power. Its findings and recommendations are based on relevant literature, official documents and their interpretation, as well as on an evaluation of recent trends in the world community. With respect to geostationary orbit availability the paper reviews applicable provisions of international space law, the Bogota Declaration and arguments pro and con. It finds the claims of equatorial countries legally and scientifically untenable but notes a fairly substantial support in the Legal Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space for equity and fairness in consideration of the development of legal principles governing the use of geostationary orbit within the framework of the Outer Space Treaty. A review of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) related instruments indicates that while the 'first come, first served' principle regarding the use of geostationary orbit has remained basically unaltered from a strictly legal point of view, the key issue will be how to translate what the ITU calls — the 'efficient and economic use' and 'equitable access' into more specific legal and technical principles and rules relating to the geostationary orbit for — what the Outer Space Treaty calls — the "benefit and interests" of all countries. Insofar as frequency for microwave power transmission is concerned, the most crucial issue pertaining to ITU is whether it would have competence to deal with such transmission. This in turn may depend on definition of powdr transmission by microwaves from space and interpretation of the word 'telecommunication'. The problem is complicated further by the inseparability of geostationary orbital positions and coordination of the use of radio spectrum to avoid harmful interference. Perhaps the most important key issue is whether the United States should internationalize the SPS. With respect to key issues the various U.S. policy options, strategies and time frames are analyzed. The paper concludes with recommendations for further short- and long-term studies.
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