1. OECD and Radio Astronomy Spectrum Tasso Tzioumis Australia Telescope National Facility 10 June 2002

2. OECD • ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT • International organisation • 30 Members – mainly “western” countries i.e. USA, Japan, European countries, Australia, Canada, …… • Heads of government interactions Tasso Tzioumis Greenbank Summer School

3. OECD and Science • Meetings of Science Ministers • Megascience Forum  Global Science Forum • Considers multi-national large science projects • E.g. Structural Genomics, Proton beams, Laser pulses Tasso Tzioumis Greenbank Summer School

4. OECD and Radio Astronomy • Working Group on Radio Astronomy • Report in 1998; adopted by ministers 1999 • Large new facilities – mm arrays (ALMA?) and cm large array (SKA?) • Identified threat to RAS from satellite down-links •  New task force to address this issue Tasso Tzioumis Greenbank Summer School

5. Task Force on Radio Astronomy and the Radio Spectrum • High level informal group • Satellite people + Radio Astronomers + Spectrum management • Terms of reference document • Ron Ekers, Harvey Butcher, Tom Gergely,… Tasso Tzioumis Greenbank Summer School

6. Objectives • The Task Force should produce a brief, policy-level report that contains findings and action-oriented recommendations. • It is recognised that the ultimate resolution of this difficult problem could take many years, but the deliberations of the Task Force should lead to the initiation of appropriate activities in the near future. Tasso Tzioumis Greenbank Summer School

7. Scope Technological solutions: Radio astronomers and industry representatives could identify and jointly implement interference mitigation schemes. Regulation: If new, innovative ways of sharing the radio spectrum are to be found, the appropriate discussions must begin soon within national agencies and the ITU, as the implementation of new regulations usually requires a considerable amount of effort over several years. Radio-quiet zones: Remote areas on the Earth's surface could be designated where future radio observatories could be located, and where radio emissions, especially from spaceborne and airborne sources, would be restricted in frequency and time. The technical, regulatory, and legal dimensions of this concept would have to be carefully examined.

8. Work Program • A.To investigate in detail the three-pronged approach indicated above, and to propose specific programs that will constitute a balanced, co-ordinated strategy. B.To sound out members of their respective spheres of interest about the elements of acceptable regulatory and other solutions, and about their willingness to participate in achieving those solutions.C.To develop a road map of long-term solutions, with a time schedule and milestones, for consideration by the relevant national and international bodies. Special attention should be given to taking advantage of (and strengthening) the procedures of the ITU. Tasso Tzioumis Greenbank Summer School

9. Possible SKA configuration Tasso Tzioumis Greenbank Summer School

10. SKA LocationWA Radio Quiet Reserve • RFI measurement system • Funded by WA state government • First results march-April 2001 • 30-150 MHz • 1060-1800 MHz • Site comparison 2002 • Noise floor > 30db ITU • IMS under construction Tasso Tzioumis Greenbank Summer School

11. Task Force outcomes? • Draft report NOT public • Will be presented to ministers in near future • Expectations: - some mechanisms for “quiet zones” - proposals to go to ITU (WRC06?) via IUCAF or administrations - NO weakening of current ITU protection for RAS. - mitigation effort? Tasso Tzioumis Greenbank Summer School