Ray Williamson

International cooperation and competition in civilian space activities

Abstract This article considers how the USA can best maintain its commercial and governmental competitiveness in space, while facilitating private investment and international marketing, and at the same time keeping up significant cooperation with other nations. The current state of US civilian space activities in each of these areas is summarized, and several alternative solutions are presented. The article concludes that strengthening US competition with other space-capable nations, and improving US ability to cooperate effectively, will require careful coordination of the activities of federal agencies with each other and with the private sector.

Special Section Guest Editorial: Freeform Optics

This PDF file contains the editorial “Special Section Guest Editorial:Freeform Optics” for OE Vol. 55 Issue 07

The solar power satellite: Looking back to look ahead

In 1981 the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) published an assessment of the solar power satellite (SPS) concept. SPS proponents claimed that the development and deployment of SPS systems could revolutionize electrical production and sharply reduce global dependence on fossil and atomic fuels. Opponents argued that SPS would be too expensive and environmentally damaging. The OTA assessment examined a broad variety of satellite technologies that might be employed in SPS and compared projected electrical production with terrestrial solar power, advanced coal technologies, breeder reactors, and nuclear fusion. It also explored public attitudes toward the SPS concept and compared its potential environmental impacts with those of other future electrical power sources. Technology, world politics, the U.S. economy, and the state of the U.S. space program have changed dramatically since the OTA report was published. This paper examines several of the economic, environmental, and international factors that mus...

Gathering news from space

Abstract Developments in remote-sensing technology have prompted suggestions that the news media could soon make routine use of newsgathering from space. A satellite system dedicated to this purpose (a ‘Mediasat’) could supply critical information. Government policy makers, however, fear that the medias use of such technology could affect national security, foreign relations and personal privacy. This article assesses US government policy on current and future newsgathering from space, and the technical potential for a Mediasat system. The authors raise doubts about the commercial viability of Mediasat, and point out that existing media sources already provide information on news stories. They conclude that concerns over the use of data from space will have to be met on a case-by-case basis as the media gain experience, using the same criteria now applied to balance the right of freedom of information with the need for national security.

Front Matter: Volume 8126

This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 8126, including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction, and the Conference Committee listing.

Front Matter: Volume 6671

This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 6671, including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction (if any), and the Conference Committee listing.

Addressing the orbital debris problem: Congress and the international policy challenge

Although the dangers from orbital debris are becoming more widely known, and orbital debris experts generally agree on the need for concerted international attention to the issue. Members of Congress need to be better informed about orbital debris concerns and how the nation might best resolve them. This paper examines the role that the U.S. Congress could play in the U.S. approach to reducing orbital debris. It also discusses the challenge posed by crafting an international solution and how Congress could assist in that important task.

The US civilian space programme: Charting a new course

Abstract The US space programme continues to face difficulties in restructuring to meet existing political and fiscal conditions, in part because the basic structure and focus of the programme derive from the tensions of the Cold War. This paper argues that the worlds new, more complicated political and economic conditions present a challenge for US policy makers that can be met with a renewed focus on the pursuit of science and the public good, within the context of international economic competition and political and scientific cooperation.

Whenever two beams interfere, one fringe equals one wave in the plane of interference, always

A tutorial on the subject of interferometer fringe scaling factors is offered. Various approaches are pursued in the hope of reaching a broad audience. The distinction between fringes and waves is established and maintained, and a procedure for interpreting interferograms is provided. Scale factors for various cases are shown.

Novel interferometer setup for evaluating the sum of surface contributions to transmitted wavefront distortion

A novel beam path in the test leg of an amplitude division interferometer is presented, which has application to the testing of thin visibly opaque windows. Its function and applications are discussed, alignment methods explained, and scaling factors given.