4.2.7 Conclusions and Recommendations 4.2.7.1 Ionosphere Heating At the present, the effects of heating the ionosphere and magnetosphere with high-powered radio waves in the high frequency portion of the frequency spectrum has been demonstrated. In addition, theoretical studies that were addressed to explaining the observed HF-induced effects have rendered a good general understanding of the response of the ambient ionosphere to high- powered high-frequency radio waves. We are just beginning to obtain experimental results of the effects on the ionosphere of high-powered radio waves whose frequencies exceed the F-region critical frequency so as to give rise to underdense heating. Little is presently known about the phenomena of plasma generation that will result from the higher power density in the F region from the SPS. Many of the expected phenomena should produce communication effects similar to those already observed or which, it is believed, can be simulated and observed. It is necessary that further studies be carried out, both of a theoretical and experimental nature, to assess the impact of underdense heating on the ionosphere to determine what the resultant impact on telecommunications systems will be and to ascertain whether the SPS pilot beam will be adversely affected by the SPS power beam. In recent years, numerous documents have appeared that address various aspects of the impact of the operation of a solar power satellite on the ionosphere and magnetosphere. A limited number of the more fundamental documents are listed in Section 4.2.8. These listed documents contain numerous references that can provide much more detailed information. 4.2.7.2 Vehicle Effluent Effects The HLLV launches for establishment and operational support of SPS stations could impact on communications services that utilize F-layer refractions and significant signal margin reductions could exist for periods of hours after each launch for links using the 1000-1500 km area around the launch trajectory. A major operational impact could develop for broadcast, commercial, and security services operating in the upper HF spectral regions.
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