Nukes in space? Orbital detector could sniff out warheads
- On Wednesday, MIT nuclear scientist Areg Danagoulian published a paper in Nature proposing a system to detect secret nuclear weapons in orbit by measuring neutron interactions within Earth's magnetic field.
- While the 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits nuclear weapons in space, it lacks verification mechanisms, leaving nations reliant on diplomacy as concerns mount over Russia's Cosmos 2553 satellite.
- Danagoulian's sensor system detects neutron signatures when high-energy protons in the Van Allen radiation belts strike uranium, potentially flagging an orbiting nuclear weapon with 99 percent accuracy from 4 kilometers away.
- Astrodynamicist Thomas González Roberts of Georgia Tech noted that inspector satellites would need to maneuver dangerously close to targets, raising collision risks and radiation damage concerns.
- Danagoulian hopes spacefaring nations will incorporate the technology into formal verification schemes, allowing operators to coordinate maneuvers rather than relying on unannounced monitoring to ensure treaty compliance.
36 Articles
36 Articles
Thermonuclear warheads could be detected in space. Scientists have proposed a way to detect nuclear weapons in low-Earth orbit. The new technology should help scan satellites for potential thermonuclear warheads, according to RBC-Ukraine, citing Gizmodo. Why would a nuclear explosion in space be catastrophic for humanity? The historical precedent of 1962, when the United States conducted the Starfish Prime test and detonated a nuclear warhead 40…
The proposal of the scientist Areg Danagoulian of the Mit for a "space inspector": nano-satellites able to monitor the eventual militarization in orbit
Ignition of nuclear weapons in orbit endangers satellites and communication. Researchers develop methods for detecting fissile materials in satellites.
The explosion of an atomic bomb in the orbit of the Earth would have disastrous consequences for modern civilization. A US scientist is now presenting a method for detecting illegal warheads. A small accompanying satellite would suffice for this.
Scientists Have a Plan to Find Out if Satellites Are Secretly Carrying Nukes
You probably weren’t worried that there might be a nuke hanging out in a satellite over our heads right now. There isn’t—that we know of. But that knowledge gap was enough for an MIT physicist to publish a paper in Nature proposing a theoretical device that could fly alongside a satellite and determine whether it’s […] The post Scientists Have a Plan to Find Out if Satellites Are Secretly Carrying Nukes appeared first on VICE.
Scientist models way to make sure no one's violating the ban on nuclear weapons in space
One scientist has produced a detailed model which proposes a way to verify that no government or rogue actors are secretly hiding nuclear weapons in the Earth’s orbit. Currently, international laws prevent the use of nuclear weapons in orbit, but it also presents a problem. International space law was created by the Outer Space Treaty, which was drafted in 1966 and has been ratified by 117 nations, including the USA, China, and Russia, since the…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
