Potential Application of Commercial Satellite Imagery in International Safeguards

This paper describes an investigation of the potential use of commercial satellite imagery in the International Atomic Energy Agency's Strengthened Safeguards System. The work is carried out to provide input to IAEA internal discussions regarding the potential applications of satellite imagery, including identification of the type of expertise required to support such activity. The main aims of the study are to identify and to demonstrate, with concrete examples, potential uses of satellite imagery in international safeguards. The paper reports on the effect of image resolution, in the range of 120 m (infrared) to simulated 1 m (panchromatic); the use of various spectra (microwave, visible and thermal infrared); some aspects of change detection; and detecting undeclared facilities. We use examples that include a multiunit nuclear complex, a nuclear research site, single-unit nuclear generating stations and mine sites. A draft report documenting the results to date has been completed and submitted to the IAEA. This report will be revised for confirmation of the findings when high-resolution satellite imagery in the range of 1 m becomes available, hopefully in early 1999.