also would need to be cleared so that SPS rectennas could be built; manufacturers would ship rectenna components to these sites. Space transportation vehicles would have to be built, either in manufacturing plants or at SPS launch sites. Most of these activites would be conventional processes normally associated with mining, manufacturing, and transportation. Their environmental consequences also may be regarded as conventional, and potential SPS-related impacts can be assessed on the basis of experience with closely-related activities. Many of these conventional impacts would occur even if the SPS is not developed, as a result of the development of other new power sources. However, the space activities associated with the satellite power system must be given special consideration. The scope of SPS activities-- especially if a large number of satellites were placed in orbit--would greatly exceed the extent of other space activities to date. Thus an analysis of environmental impacts resulting from SPS space activities is a formidable task. Because of the limitations of the existing data base, much of the present analysis is still qualitative rather than quantitative. SPS depletion of resources, conventional air and water pollutants and waste products could be locally significant and noticeable to the public near industrial centers and SPS rectenna and launch sites. None of these impacts is peculiar to the satellite power system, with the exception of noise generated by SPS rocket launches. All effects could be controlled to some degree by conventional strategies. Workers in industries supporting SPS development would be exposed to the same kinds of environmental effects as the public but their level of exposure would often be greater. They also would risk conventional occupational illnesses and injuries. Available industrial safety measures appear to be adequate to maintain SPS-related risks at generally- accepted levels. The principal risks to space workers, as depicted in Figure 2, have been identified based on present knowledge and experience. Space workers could be injured in SPS launch accidents and during space travel. To date these risks have been faced by only a few people who have been intensively trained for space travel. For SPS, many more individuals would be exposed to these risks, and the level of training might be different than that possible for small groups of people. One of the principal issues is the ability of humans to work efficiently in space for extended periods of times without undue risk of life shortening or persistent disability. The Apollo and Skylab programs have provided data relevant to this issue. This data has been studied and the conclusion has been reached that there is no substantial evidence to indicate that unpreventable or noncorrective adverse effects will be
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