interference (RFI) with other systems. The detrimental effects of all of these are currently considered to be relatively minor. An environmental impact of perhaps greater significance is the pollution due to flight operations, which are unique to satellite power systems. The gaseous products of the system* s launches, the anticipated heavy metal ions produced in orbit transfer and the gas or ion effluents of attitude control and stationkeeping operations of the satellite on orbit, can all produce deleterious effects on the atmosphere and ionosphere. Finally, a most significant area of concern is the microwave radiation which is central to the operation of any satellite power system. Considerable controversy exists regarding the effects of such radiation on the atmosphere and ionosphere, and on organisms, including man, that may be irradiated. Some deleterious effects on climate due to the waste heat produced at a receiving site may also occur. The high power density uplink radiation of the Power Relay Satellite system, associated sidelobes, spurious radiation and heat are even more inportant for that system's environmental viability. In the paragraphs to follow, the key issues are discussed in accordance with topics of principal concern listed in Exhibit 56. a. Social Impacts Land use problems so far considered center on the satellite power receiving (rectenna) facility with its required land area of about 2 110 square miles (300 km ) for a 5 GW system. No major concerns are in evidence, however. In fact, joint use of a large portion of the land by agriculture or industry has been suggested through the provision of a shielding metallic mesh. Siting considerations have included questions of interfacing with power utilities, transportation and labor centers. A sea-based rectenna facility has also been suggested as a possible solution to any major land use difficulties, particularly if local problems from the received microwave radiation should become significant (see below). Public safety concerns center on launch failure (of special significance with any nuclear power satellite station) and on microwave
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