GLONASS and Radio Astronomy R. J. Cohen R. J. Cohen Jodrell Bank Observatory University of Manchester Jodrell Bank Observatory University of Manchester 13th June th June 2002

Outline of Presentation Historical background GLONASS – Radio Astronomy Joint Experiment Current status Outline of Presentation Historical background GLONASS – Radio Astronomy Joint Experiment Current status

GLONASS in the 1980s GLONASS was a big problem at a time of great interest in 1612MHz OH-IR sources (OH shells resolved 1981; IRAS catalogue published 1985) Transmissions overlapped 1612MHz OH line GLONASS artefacts seen through 0dBi sidelobes typically 5K (5Jy on 100m dish; 50Jy on 30m dish) Sensitivity eqn Rapid variations as satellites traverse sidelobes Null spikes look like masers (seen even at 1667MHz) More than 100MHz “occupied” Military “secret” so difficult to establish dialogue GLONASS in the 1980s GLONASS was a big problem at a time of great interest in 1612MHz OH-IR sources (OH shells resolved 1981; IRAS catalogue published 1985) Transmissions overlapped 1612MHz OH line GLONASS artefacts seen through 0dBi sidelobes typically 5K (5Jy on 100m dish; 50Jy on 30m dish) Sensitivity eqn Rapid variations as satellites traverse sidelobes Null spikes look like masers (seen even at 1667MHz) More than 100MHz “occupied” Military “secret” so difficult to establish dialogue

Lovell Telescope 250 ft fully steerable Prime focus 150MHz – 5 GHz Upgrade in progress

Interference from Satellites - I   Line of sight: can’t shield against them!   Global coverage: all terrestrial sites affected   Spread spectrum: radio pollution of passive bands   Many examples (GLONASS, Astra, Tex, Iridium, … )   Malfunctions are difficult to repair in space   Long timescale for change, once launched   More than 100 satellites launched per year   No pre-launch check on total emissions (environmental impact) Interference from Satellites - I   Line of sight: can’t shield against them!   Global coverage: all terrestrial sites affected   Spread spectrum: radio pollution of passive bands   Many examples (GLONASS, Astra, Tex, Iridium, … )   Malfunctions are difficult to repair in space   Long timescale for change, once launched   More than 100 satellites launched per year   No pre-launch check on total emissions (environmental impact)

Historical Landmarks 1968Discovery of OH-IR sources 1979OH 1612-MHz line given secondary allocation First GLONASS satellite launched (military) 1983Coordination of GLONASS begins Interference identified and published IRAS catalogue published (~10 4 OH-IR sources) First IUCAF-GLONASS meeting Worldwide experiment to test possible cures Radio astronomy band made primary GLONASS-IUCAF Agreement signed in Moscow 2006Projected completion of “clean-up” plan Historical Landmarks 1968Discovery of OH-IR sources 1979OH 1612-MHz line given secondary allocation First GLONASS satellite launched (military) 1983Coordination of GLONASS begins Interference identified and published IRAS catalogue published (~10 4 OH-IR sources) First IUCAF-GLONASS meeting Worldwide experiment to test possible cures Radio astronomy band made primary GLONASS-IUCAF Agreement signed in Moscow 2006Projected completion of “clean-up” plan

GLONASS-IUCAF Agreement Coordination is possible with radio astronomy 1993 onwards, no satellites in channels onwards, satellites confined to channels 1-12 New GLONASS frequency plan is needed Filters will be installed on GLONASS-M satellites, sufficient to protect MHz band GLONASS administration will investigate ways to fully protect 1612-MHz band and will communicate their proposed solution at a future meeting IUCAF will coordinate further joint experiments as needed GLONASS-IUCAF Agreement Coordination is possible with radio astronomy 1993 onwards, no satellites in channels onwards, satellites confined to channels 1-12 New GLONASS frequency plan is needed Filters will be installed on GLONASS-M satellites, sufficient to protect MHz band GLONASS administration will investigate ways to fully protect 1612-MHz band and will communicate their proposed solution at a future meeting IUCAF will coordinate further joint experiments as needed

Current Status and Prospects Last launch 1 st December operating satellites at 30 th May 2002 Only channels 1-12 used (since ~2000) No evidence of filters on new satellites New GLONASS administration in place IUCAF is gathering information on current levels of interference from GLONASS, deadline 1 st Nov 2002 Possible further negotiations and further joint experiment Complicated by newcomers: Iridium, Globalstar?, etc. Current Status and Prospects Last launch 1 st December operating satellites at 30 th May 2002 Only channels 1-12 used (since ~2000) No evidence of filters on new satellites New GLONASS administration in place IUCAF is gathering information on current levels of interference from GLONASS, deadline 1 st Nov 2002 Possible further negotiations and further joint experiment Complicated by newcomers: Iridium, Globalstar?, etc.