MIT Proposes Satellite System to Detect Nuclear Weapons in Space

By Priya Anand

MIT researcher Areg Danagoulian has proposed a novel satellite-based system designed to detect nuclear weapons in space, potentially addressing a significant verification gap in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. The treaty bans nuclear weapons in orbit but lacks an enforcement mechanism.

The proposed system involves a 9U CubeSat-sized 'inspector' satellite capable of detecting neutrons produced by spallation when high-energy cosmic protons interact with fissile material aboard suspect satellites. According to a study published in Nature, this system could identify a nuclear weapon from approximately 4 kilometers away with a 99% accuracy rate within a week of observation.

Danagoulian's approach leverages neutron scintillators surrounded by diamond detectors to differentiate neutrons from protons and atmospheric background. The detection time could be reduced to hours if multiple sensors are used or if the inspector satellite approaches closer to 1,000 meters.

This initiative builds on historical precedents like DARPA's Vela program, which developed sensors to detect nuclear explosions in space, atmosphere, and underwater during the 1960s. However, existing systems have not been able to verify the presence of hidden nuclear weapons on orbiting satellites.