National Academies Press: OpenBook

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty: Technical Issues for the United States (2012)

Chapter: APPENDIX H Satellite-Based Challenges and Solutions

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Suggested Citation:"APPENDIX H Satellite-Based Challenges and Solutions." National Research Council. 2012. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty: Technical Issues for the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12849.
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APPENDIX H

Satellite-Based Challenges and Solutions

Satellite-based monitoring is discussed in Chapter 2. Major advances in satellite sensors to detect nuclear explosions in the atmosphere or space have been made over the past decade. These advances are summarized in Table H-1 in the format of major technical challenges identified a decade ago and the technology solutions subsequently accomplished. They primarily result from investments by DOE/NNSA made at the national laboratories, responding to potentially new nuclear threats from transnational terrorists or nascent Nuclear Weapon States. Uncertainties regarding the actual employment of these new monitoring technologies on future satellite platforms are discussed in Chapter 2 and Appendix G.

Suggested Citation:"APPENDIX H Satellite-Based Challenges and Solutions." National Research Council. 2012. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty: Technical Issues for the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12849.
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TABLE H-1: Satellite-Based Monitoring Program Challenges and Technology Solutions.

Challenges Technology Solutions
Program Element: Integration of New Assets
Incorporate vastly increased data flows from new optical and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) sensors into existing system architecture. Additional downlink capacity through either more ground sites or more storage and bandwidth

Sophisticated on-board triggering algorithms Algorithms for ground processing

Improved methods of processing/identifying non-nuclear events
Program Element: Advanced Event Characterization
Increase the absolute sensitivity of sensors for detecting & locating atmospheric nuclear detonations Focal-plane-array active-pixel technology (thousands of individual optical sensors implemented in a space not appreciably larger than that required for today’s single optical sensor)

New sensor technologies as integrated circuit technoloqy improves
Provide multi-phenomenology sensing capabilities to increase confidence of identification and improve existing capabilities for characterizing nuclear detonations from space Autonomous EMP sensors and associated techniques to distinguish RF generated by nuclear explosions from natural phenomena Neutron and gamma-ray sensors on new satellite platforms
Program Element: Next-Generation Monitoring Systems
Reduce detection thresholds for satellite systems while maintaining low false-event alarms Array-based optical sensors

Wide-band RF systems

Sophisticated real-time triggering algorithms
Reduce size, weight, and power required for monitoring systems Advanced electronics and field-programmable gate arrays

Multi-function sensors

Advanced packaging technologies to allow more electronics inteqration

SOURCE: U.S. DOE, 2004

Suggested Citation:"APPENDIX H Satellite-Based Challenges and Solutions." National Research Council. 2012. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty: Technical Issues for the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12849.
×
Page 185
Suggested Citation:"APPENDIX H Satellite-Based Challenges and Solutions." National Research Council. 2012. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty: Technical Issues for the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12849.
×
Page 186
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The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty: Technical Issues for the United States Get This Book
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This report reviews and updates the 2002 National Research Council report, Technical Issues Related to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). This report also assesses various topics, including:

  • the plans to maintain the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile without nuclear-explosion testing;
  • the U.S. capability to detect, locate, and identify nuclear explosions;
  • commitments necessary to sustain the stockpile and the U.S. and international monitoring systems; and
  • potential technical advances countries could achieve through evasive testing and unconstrained testing.

Sustaining these technical capabilities will require action by the National Nuclear Security Administration, with the support of others, on a strong scientific and engineering base maintained through a continuing dynamic of experiments linked with analysis, a vigorous surveillance program, adequate ratio of performance margins to uncertainties. This report also emphasizes the use of modernized production facilities and a competent and capable workforce with a broad base of nuclear security expertise.

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