1 stsc/iaea safety framework for space nps applications, vienna, 2 april 2011 esa unclassified –...

1STSC/IAEA Safety Framework for Space NPS Applications , Vienna, 2 April 2011

ESA UNCLASSIFIED – For Official UseL. Summerer / U. Bohlmann

The STSC/IAEA Safety Framework for Space Nuclear Power Source Applications

Dr. Leopold SummererHead, ESA Advanced Concepts TeamEmail: [email protected]

Dr. jur. Ulrike M. Bohlmann ESA Legal Department Email: [email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



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Outline

• Context of the Safety Framework

• Drafting of the Safety Framework

• Content of the Safety Framework

• Legal Characterisation



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Context

• 24 January 1978: Cosmos-954 accident

• 1992 UN GA Resolution (GA Res. 47/68) "Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources In Outer Space"

• NPS only viable option for solar system exploration missions

• last launch into Earth orbit more than twenty years ago



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NPS Principles

• Applicability of international law

• Launching State = State exercising jurisdiction and control at a given point in time

• Guidelines and criteria for safe use– general goals: individuals, populations and biosphere to be protected against radiological hazards in

operational and accidental circumstances; avoid contamination of outer space. – nuclear reactors– radioisotope generators

• Safety assessment

• Notification of re-entry

• Consultations

• Assistance to States

• Responsibility, Article VI OST

• Liability and compensation, Article VII + LIAB

• Review and revision, foreseen already after two years



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Drafting process, phase 1

• UN COPUOS NPS Working Group reconvened in 1998 to identify and study current international technical standards pertinent to the use of NPS in space

• Multi-year work plan was adopted:– Factors that differentiate space NPS from terrestrial nuclear applications– International documents of a technical nature having potential relevance to

space NPS and procedures for their development– Summary of launch approval processes– Potential future developments

• Consensus reached by the NPS Working Group in March 2002



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• STSC WG 2002 - 2007

• Focus: to develop an international technically based framework of goals and recommendations for the safety of nuclear power source applications in outer space

• Set of general guidelines relating to safety aspects of launch and operating life cycle of NPS for space applications

• Reflect international consensus on appropriate level of safety in various phases of NPS life cycle

• Objective: Framework to – Be technically based– Provide high-level guidance– Provide technical foundation for development of national standards– Allow national programmes flexibility in adapting such standards to specific NPS

applications and different organisational setups



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• Joint Expert Group STSC and IAEA 2007-2009

• Safety Framework adopted by STSC in February 2009

• agreed to by IAEA CSS in April 2009

• published jointly by STSC and IAEA in October 2009

• released after passing of COPUOS report at UN GA in December 2009



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Content

• voluntary - not legally binding

• relationship to IAEA safety standards / guides

• complementary to other standards– does NOT supplement, alter, interpret any other relevant principles or treaties

• protection of people and the environment in the Earth's biosphere from potential hazards associated with relevant launch, operation and end-of-service mission phases



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Content: guidance for governments

• Guidance for governments and relevant international intergovernmental organisations that authorise, approve or conduct space NPS missions

• Governmental responsibilities include:– establishing safety policies, requirements and processes and ensuring

compliance;– ensuring acceptable justification for using space NPS;– establishing formal mission launch authorization process; – preparing for and responding to emergencies.

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STSC/IAEA Safety Framework for Space NPS Applications , Vienna, 2 April 2011


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Content: guidance for management

• management of organisations involved in space NPS applications

• management responsibilities include:– complying with governmental and relevant intergovernmental safety policies,

requirements and processes– accepting prime responsibility for safety

➡ with organisation that conducts mission

– ensuring availability of adequate resources for safety – promoting and sustaining a robust safety culture

➡ Clear lines of authority, responsibility and communication

➡ Safety accountability of organisation and individuals at all levels

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Content: technical guidance

• Pertinent to design, development and mission phases of space NPS applications

• Encompasses key areas for developing and providing technical basis for authorisation and approval processes and for emergency preparedness and response:

– Establishing and maintaining a nuclear safety design, test and analysis capability;

– Applying that capability in design, qualification and mission launch authorization processes of the space NPS application;

– Assessing radiation risks to people and environment arising from potential accidents and ensuring that risk is acceptable and as low as reasonably achievable;

– Taking action to mitigate the consequences of potential accidents.

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Legal Characterisation

• explicitly not binding

• terminology deliberately and carefully non-legal

• intended to complement IAEA Safety Standards Series, but explicitly not published in that series

– Article III.A.6 IAEA Statute:establish and adopt safety standards and provide for their application to own operations as well as to operations making use of materials, services, equipment, facilities, and information made available by the Agency or at its request or under its control or supervision; provide for application of standards, at the request of a State.

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Legal Characterisation

• technical guidance to technical actors– implementation via actual activities

• guideline to model national/regional regulations on– Implementation via national/ regional regulation– Voluntary and unilateral commitment to comply with international norm/

recommendation– Unified practice– Starting point for future customary law ?

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Decrease of solar irradiance with distance to the sun

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STSC/IAEA Safety Framework for Space NPS Applications , Vienna, 2 April 2011 15


Classification - Types of NPS

Radioisotope Power Sources (RPS)

1 stsc/iaea safety framework for space nps applications, vienna, 2 april 2011 esa unclassified –...

Documents

space nps applications

use of nps

specific nps applications

copuos nps

yearsstsciaea safety

safety frameworkcontent

safety frameworkdrafting

esa unclassified