  The possibility of using the SKA for occasional support of scientific space
missions should be considered, along with all other science goals, in the
design of the array. The benefits of higher data rates from distant spacecraft
during high priority, short duration mission phases can be dramatic, while the
technical requirements on the SKA to allow this capability are very few. The
most fundamental requirement is coverage of the primary downlink frequencies
for deep space missions. Additional benefits can result from real-time high
precision angular position measurements of spacecraft. Such measurements allow
spacecraft navigation with reduced errors and reduced risk, but require at
least some long (thousands of km) baselines.
