Potential Applications of Commercial Observation Satellite Imagery for the Verification of Declared and Undeclared Nuclear Production Facilities

摘要

An important way to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons is to control the productionand use of fissile materials. The main international controls on fissile material are embodied inthe Non-Proliferation Treaty. Moreover, it can be expected that another important measure tocontrol fissile material production will be the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT). Bothtreaties need verification of declared and undeclared nuclear production facilities. Given thedramatic increase in commercial satellite imagery capabilities, this paper explains howcommercial observation satellites could be effective in verification of nuclear productionfacilities such as plutonium production reactors and reprocessing and enrichment facilities.Based on analysis of the new released high resolution satellites images of nuclear productionfacilities, we conclude that the new generation of commercial observation satellites could play avaluable role in the verification of an FMCT and strengthening IAEA safeguards.