Working Group on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space

The Working Group on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space has a long record of productive work under matters under its consideration. In 2009, the Working Group developed, jointly with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space. Currently, the Working Group is working under a new 5-year workplan (2024-2028) with the following objectives:

Objective 1: Promote and facilitate the implementation of the Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space by:

  • (a) Providing an opportunity for member States and international intergovernmental organizations considering or initiating involvement in space nuclear power source (NPS) applications to summarize and discuss their plans, progress to date and any challenges faced or foreseen in implementing the Safety Framework;
  • (b) Providing an opportunity for member States and international intergovernmental organizations with experience in space NPS applications to make presentations on challenges identified under subparagraph (a) above, and on their mission-specific experiences in implementing the guidance contained in the Safety Framework.

Objective 2:  Collect and analyse relevant technical information about potential future uses of NPS in outer space, in particular those involving nuclear reactors, by:

  • (a) Inviting more member States and international intergovernmental organizations, in particular IAEA, to join the Working Group and share their views, plans and experiences;
  • (b) Agreeing on appropriate activities for collecting information about potential future uses of NPS;
  • (c) Producing a critical analysis of the safety implications of the information shared under subparagraphs (a) and (b) above and presenting this analysis to the Subcommittee.

Objective 3:  Discuss within the Working Group the implications of the analysis described in objective 2 with respect to further work of the Working Group and recommend suitable actions to the Subcommittee.

Work of the Working Group in the period 2017-2023 

Under its multi-year workplan for the period 2017-2021, adopted by the Subcommittee at its fifty-fourth session, in 2017 (A/AC.105/1138, annex II, paras. 8 and 9) and which was extended by two years because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Working Group worked under the following objectives: 

Objective 1. Promote and facilitate the implementation of the Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space by:

  • (a) Providing an opportunity for member States and international intergovernmental organizations considering or initiating involvement in space nuclear power source (NPS) applications to summarize and discuss their plans, progress to date and any challenges faced or foreseen in implementing the Safety Framework;
  • (b) Providing an opportunity for member States and international intergovernmental organizations with experience in space NPS applications to make presentations on challenges identified under subparagraph (a) above, and on their mission-specific experiences in implementing the guidance contained in the Safety Framework.

Objective 2. Discuss within the Working Group advances in knowledge and practices and their potential for enhancing the technical content and scope of the Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space through presentations from member States and international intergovernmental organizations based on one or more of the following:

  • (a) Their practical experience in implementing the Principles;
  • (b) Their knowledge of advances in science and technology relating to space NPS;
  • (c) Their knowledge of internationally accepted norms, standards and practices regarding radiation protection and nuclear safety.

On the basis of its deliberations during 2021, as well as at the formal and informal meetings held during the session of STSC in 2022, the Working Group agreed that more discussions and work were needed in order to complete its final report to the Subcommittee. The Working Group therefore recommended that the current multi-year workplan be extended to 2023 as follows:

  • 2023 Finalize the report to the Subcommittee on the outcomes of the multi-year work plan and explore options for gathering information about advances in knowledge, practices and plans for future space nuclear power source applications.

In 2023, the Working Group prepared the "Final report on the implementation of the Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space and recommendations for potential enhancements of the technical content and scope of the Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space" ( A/AC.105/C.1/124) and recommended to the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee at its 60th session a new 5-year workplan, which was endorsed by the Subcommittee in its final report A/AC.105/1279, para. 263, see also annex III paras. 8 and 9) and by the Committee at its 66th session in its final report A/78/20, para.150. 

Documents and presentations

The present page contains documents and presentations relevant to the work of the Working Group on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

WGNPSDOCS

Presentation by the IAEA entitled " Summary of Atoms for Space": Nuclear systems for space exploration. IAEA Webinar February 2022. 

Working paper entitled "Updated and risk-informed process for launching space nuclear systems in the United States of America", prepared by the United States (  A/AC.105/C.1/L.389)

Working paper entitled "Experience in the practical application of the Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space and the Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space", prepared by the Russian Federation (  A/AC.105/C.1/L.388)

Working Paper entitled "Preliminary analysis of how the Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space contribute to the safety of space nuclear power source applications " ( A/AC.105/C.1/L.378), prepared by the Chair of the Working Group in collaboration with the delegations of France and the European Space Agency

Conference room paper entitled "Implementation of the guidelines provided for in the international safety framework for nuclear power source applications in outer space for ESA space missions: the ESA safety policy on the use of nuclear power sources" ( A/AC.105/C.1/2019/CRP.10)

Draft report on the implementation of the Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space and general recommendations for potential future work ( A/AC.105/C.1/L.359)

Working paper submitted by the United Kingdom on safety recommendations for nuclear power source applications in outer space ( A/AC.105/C.1/L.360).

SDNPSDOCS

 

 

Joint United Nations/ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Workshop on the Objectives, Scope and General Attributes of a Potential Technical Safety Standard for Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space (Vienna, 20-22 February 2006)

 

Since 2006, the following documents/presentations have been considered by the Working Group:

 

  Document Symbol Title of Document Available Languages
      Arabic Chinese English French Russian Spanish
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Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space (2009)
  A/AC.105/C.1/L.292/Rev.4 Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space PDF-A PDF-C PDF-E PDF-F PDF-R PDF-S
IAEA Publication Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space ------ ------ PDF-E ------ ------ ------
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  Workshop on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space, held by the Working Group on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space
(Vienna, 9 February 2011)
1. "Introduction to the workshop", by Sam Harbison (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
A/AC.105/C.1/
L.311
Workshop on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space
Paper submitted by the Chairman of the Working Group on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space
PDF-A PDF-C PDF-E PDF-F PDF-R PDF-S
A/AC.105/C.1/2011/CRP.4 Introduction to the Workshop
Sam Harbison, Chairman of NPS Working Group
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2. "Safety in the design and development of United States nuclear power source applications for use in outer space", by Reed Wilcox (United States of America)
A/AC.105/C.1/
L.313
Workshop on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space:
Safety in the design and development of United States nuclear power source applications in outer space
Paper submitted by the United States of America
PDF-A PDF-C PDF-E PDF-F PDF-R PDF-S
A/AC.105/C.1/2011/CRP.6 "Safety in the Design and Development of United States Space NPS Applications"
By Reed Wilcox, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
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3. "Safety workshop for space nuclear power sources: the roadmap for its implementation in a special case for Argentina", by Conrado Varotto (Argentina)
A/AC.105/C.1/2011/CRP.7 Workshop on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space: Safety Workshop for Space Nuclear Power Sources: the roadmap for its implementation in a special case for Argentina
Paper submitted by Argentina
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A/AC.105/C.1/2011/CRP.7/Corr.1 Workshop on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space: Safety Workshop for Space Nuclear Power Sources: the roadmap for its implementation in a special case for Argentina
Paper submitted by Argentina
Corrigendum
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4. "The United States approach to risk assessment and its role in implementing an effective safety programme for nuclear power source applications in outer space", by Ryan Bechtel (United States of America)
A/AC.105/C.1/
L.312
Workshop on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space:
the United States approach to risk assessment and its role in implementing an effective safety programme for nuclear power source applications in outer space
Paper submitted by the United States of America
PDF-A PDF-C PDF-E PDF-F PDF-R PDF-S
A/AC.105/C.1/2011/CRP.5 U.S. Approach to Risk Assessment and its Role in Implementing an Effective Safety Program for Space Nuclear Power Sources Applications
Ryan D. Bechtel, Ronald J. Lipinski, Jeffery A. Smith, Timothy J. Bartel, Donald L. Potter, Tracy E.Radel, Nathan E Bixler, and Lyle L. Rutger
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5. "Implementing the Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space at ESA: status and plans", by Leopold Summerer (European Space Agency)
A/AC.105/C.1/2011/CRP.19 Workshop on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space: Implementing the International Safety Framework for Space Nuclear Power Sources Applications at ESA. Status and Plans
Presentation prepared by the European Space Agency (ESA)
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  Workshop on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space, held by the Working Group on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space
(Vienna, 8 February 2012)
1. "Discussion on the safety of space nuclear power sources", by Zhu Anwen (China)
A/AC.105/C.1/
L.319
Workshop on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space: discussion on the safety of nuclear power sources in outer space
Paper submitted by China
PDF-A PDF-C PDF-E PDF-F PDF-R PDF-S
A/AC.105/C.1/2012/CRP.5 Discussion on the safety of space nuclear power sources
Submitted by China
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2. "Joint statement made by representatives of the Russian Federal Space Agency and the State Atomic Energy Corporation 'Rosatom'", by Alexander Solodukhin (Russian Federation)
A/AC.105/C.1/
L.320
Space Agency and the State Atomic Energy Corporation "Rosatom" at the seminar of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of
Outer Space on the Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space: current and planned applications, and challenges
PDF-A PDF-C PDF-E PDF-F PDF-R PDF-S
A/AC.105/C.1/2012/CRP.6 Joint statement made by representatives of the Russian Federal Space Agency and the State Atomic Energy Corporation "Rosatom" at the seminar of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space on the Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space: current and planned applications, and challenges
Submitted by the Russian Federation
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3. "United States preparedness and response activities for space exploration missions involving nuclear power sources", by Reed Wilcox (United States of America)
A/AC.105/C.1/
L.314
Workshop on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space: United States preparedness and response activities for space exploration missions involving nuclear power sources
Paper submitted by the United States of America
PDF-A PDF-C PDF-E PDF-F PDF-R PDF-S
A/AC.105/C.1/2012/CRP.4 United States Preparedness and Response Activities for Space Exploration Missions involving Nuclear Power Sources --- --- PDF-E --- --- ---
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4. "The United States approach to nuclear launch accident mitigation", by Ryan Bechtel (United States of America)
A/AC.105/C.1/
L.315
Workshop on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space: the United States approach to nuclear launch
accident mitigation
Paper submitted by the United States of America
PDF-A PDF-C PDF-E PDF-F PDF-R PDF-S
A/AC.105/C.1/2012/CRP.3 The United States Approach to Nuclear Launch Accident Mitigation --- --- PDF-E --- --- ---
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5. "Implementing the International Safety Framework for Space Nuclear Power Sources at the European Space Agency: options and open questions", by Leopold Summerer (European Space Agency)
A/AC.105/C.1/2012/CRP.24 Workshop on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space: Implementing the International Safety Framework for Space Nuclear Power Sources at ESA: Options and Open Questions
Presentation prepared by the European Space Agency (ESA)
--- --- PDF-E --- --- ---
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Paper submitted by France at the forty-ninth session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (Vienna, 6-17 February 2012)
  A/AC.105/C.1/
L.318
Workshop on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space: current and planned applications, and challenges
Paper submitted by France
PDF-A PDF-C PDF-E PDF-F PDF-R PDF-S
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Paper submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the fifty-second session session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (Vienna, 2-13 February 2015)
  A/AC.105/C.1/
L.342
A trial set of safety recommendations to implement the
guidance for governments section of the Safety
Framework
PDF-A PDF-C PDF-E PDF-F PDF-R PDF-S
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