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Management of Commercially Generated Radioactive Waste - U.S. ...

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6.148<br />

TABLE 6.1.30 Short Term (Preemplacement) Radiological Impacts For<br />

The Space Disposal Program Normal Operation<br />

Whole-Body Dose, man-rem/yr<br />

Occupational<br />

Nonoccupational<br />

<strong>Waste</strong> Processing Facility 4100 90<br />

Transportation 210 90<br />

Repository (Secondary<br />

<strong>Waste</strong>) 1030 Neg.<br />

Space<br />

NPPF 70<br />

Transporter/Launch Pad 150<br />

Shuttle 780<br />

6340 180<br />

* Minimize the probability <strong>of</strong> events leading to severe environments<br />

* Provide, when possible, a contingency action to remove the payload from the threatening<br />

environment<br />

* Maximize the probability that the waste payload containment will not be violated if<br />

subjected to the environment.<br />

Two important types <strong>of</strong> accidents, both unique to the space disposal option, are:<br />

* A catastrophic, on- or near-pad explosion and fire <strong>of</strong> the booster launch vehicle<br />

* A high-altitude reentry and burnup <strong>of</strong> an unprotected nuclear waste container, with<br />

subsequent conversion <strong>of</strong> a certain fraction <strong>of</strong> the payload to submicron particles <strong>of</strong><br />

metal oxides.<br />

Aside from immediate possible casualties and the close-in physical effects from, for example,<br />

the on-pad explosion and fire, the environmental impact <strong>of</strong> overriding significance for these<br />

events would be possible radiation exposure to the general public. Edgecombe et al. (1978)<br />

provides preliminary data on environmental conditions around catastrophic launch-pad<br />

accidents.<br />

Short-term risks might or might not be lower than those for terrestrial disposal options.<br />

However, forthe space disposal option to be implemented, they would have to be at an accept-<br />

able level. Reliability data for systems would be required before a risk assessment could be<br />

made. Reliabilities <strong>of</strong> the booster vehicle, upper stages, and safety systems envisioned for<br />

the space disposal mission have not yet been determined by NASA, but are expected to be high.<br />

Neg.

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