Application of Airborne Remote Sensing for the Detection of Features Relating to an Underground Nuclear Explosion

摘要

The use of airborne remote sensing and the acquisition of 'multispectral imagery including infrared' are permitted in an On-Site Inspection (OSI) according to the Protocol to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. The presentation reports on the findings of field tests conducted to ascertain the extent to which, and under which conditions, airborne imagery from a helicopter can detect features relevant to an OSI; such features differ in their origin, extent and longevity and may be related to anthropogenic activities conducted in preparation for an underground nuclear explosion (UNE) as well as features that are the direct and indirect consequences of an UNE. Field tests based on engineered features to mimic potential OSI-relevant signatures revealed that airborne imagery acquired within an OSI-realistic timeframe, and processed in near real-time, can successfully identify many features of interest such as structures under canopy, disturbed ground and thermal anomalies.