References
- GECD Global Science Forum, http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/54/33/28011602.pdf, 2004
- WRC-03 Final Acts, 2003
- ITU-R Radio Regulations, 2004
DOI QR Code
In the past, radio astronomers have sought isolation from man-made signals by placing their telescopes in remote locations. These measures may no longer safeguard scientific observations, since NGSO satellite systems, particularly low-Earth orbit (LEO) systems, are usually designed to provide global or wide regional coverage. Further, radio astronomers have historically made their observations in the frequency bands allocated for their use by the member countries of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The science of radio astronomy could be adversely impacted by the deployment of large constellations of new non-geostationary orbiting (NGSO) satellites for telecommunications, navigation and Earth observation, and the proliferation of new, high-power broadcasting and telecommunication satellites in geostationary (GSO) orbits. Radio telescopes are extremely sensitive, and, in certain situations, signals from satellites can overwhelm the signals from astronomical sources. This paper describes the problem in detail and identifies ways to mitigate it without adversely affecting the continued vigorous growth of commercial space-based telecommunications.