New efforts to safeguard space services used to predict disasters

With the next World Radio Conference due to examine whether the growth of short range devices could cause interference scientists are rallying regulators for better protection of the space-based sensing systems which monitor global warming.

Passive sensors can operate in the earth exploration-satellite service or in the space research service and in a variety of frequency bands. Protecting passive sensing from other services is critical to its proper functioning, said Tom von Deak, spectrum project manager at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Spectrum Management Office, speaking in a personal capacity. Active services can negatively impact reception of naturally occurring, very low-level radio waves that allow measurement of ocean salinity, soil moisture, water vapor, wind, ice, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and other areas, he said. The naturally occurring emissions only occur in specific ranges. "That's why Radio Regulations are very important for passive sensors," van Deak said during a December 10 to 11 Remote Sensing Workshop at ITU. All objects emit radio waves, which convey information, he said.

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