The Launch and Recovery Operations are similar to those undertaken in current space program activities; however, the deployment of the SPS system will require significantly larger launch vehicles and a significant increase in launch and recovery activity. The effects of these increases must be evaluated. All of the SPS Space Operations result in effects about which there is limited information. Both the type of individual exposed to the space conditions (i.e., construction worker instead of astronaut) and the exposure pattern will be significantly different from current space program experience. This assessment includes some preliminary information on potential problems. 2.4 STATE OF KNOWLEDGE Many of the health and safety effects from deployment of an SPS system result from conventional processes as indicated above. There is, in general, a considerable volume of information about these conditions and the data required for impact evaluation are well documented. In these cases an assessment of the incremental effect of an SPS system over existing levels of activity must be made. In general, the state of knowledge about these incremental effects is not very far advanced because of the preliminary nature of the SPS system definition. Table 2.1 summarizes the state of knowledge of each of the effects. The references given should be considered as representative of the information available and are, by no means, an exhaustive compilation of the data. 2.5 RESEARCH PLAN AND ALTERNATIVES Appendix 2A gives a research plan for evaluating the health, safety, and environmental effects of an SPS system. 2.6 PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT The preliminary assessment is divided into an evaluation of the effects of the effects on the public, terrestrial workers, space workers, and the environment.
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