The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty: Technical Issues for the United States (2012)
Chapter: APPENDIX H Satellite-Based Challenges and Solutions
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.
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
