Although AURA operates no radio facilities that would be directly affected by this rule making, scientific progress in astronomy has increasingly depended on the ability of researchers to examine objects in many wavelengths and using many techniques including radio astronomy. Thus, any adverse impact on such radio facilities will affect the overall conduct of astronomical research in a substantial way. Relaxing regulations on spurious emissions from satellites will potentially harm these observations. Because of the sensitivity of radio telescopes, they have been the first facilities to suffer from unwanted satellite emissions. However, other services also have begun to be affected, and the problem will only grow as the use of radio spectrum increases.
Radio astronomers ask that the radio frequency spectrum be used in a responsible manner by all.
Unwanted emissions will become a problem in the future for other services as well as radio astronomy. The Radio Communication Sector of the International Telecommunications Union has provided excellent guidelines for regulating emissions in radio astronomy bands. E-mail us . Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc.