epr-method (2003) - IAEA Publications - International Atomic Energy ...

Radioactive satellite re-entry
Radioactive satellite re-entry
Description
Re-entry of nuclear power sources from space. Re-entry may be foreseen several weeks or months in advance,
although some accident sequences could occur within hours. Estimates of the time and location for the re-entry are
often inaccurate. Typically, the radioactive components are less than one cubic metre in volume and shatter upon reentry.
Debris can fall over an area of 100 000 km 2 or more and in most cases it would be virtually impossible to
identify the area of impact with sufficient accuracy to allow reasonable precautionary protective actions to be taken.
Potential hazards
The risk is very low and comes principally from someone finding and handling radioactive debris. Surface radiation
levels of up to 5 Gy/h have been recorded from satellite debris, which could result in severe or fatal injuries. However,
none of the re-entries to date has resulted in a known case or significant public exposure or significant food or water
contamination.
Emergency response
State responsible for the satellite:
— Notify the IAEA of the estimated time and location of re-entry and provide an assessment of risks
to the public and a recommendation on protective actions.
IAEA:
— Inform potentially affected States.
— Respond to international inquiries on transnational emergencies.
— Arrange for activation of appropriate ERNET teams if assistance is requested (see Element A8.4).
Incident commander (in each potentially affected State):
— Co-ordinate the response using the ICS (see Appendix 13) under an incident commander.
— Obtain radiological assessment assistance to co-ordinate the radiological response and radiation
protection in accordance with Ref. [11].
— Obtain emergency medical assistance to advise and co-ordinate with medical facilities
— Obtain public information officer (see Element A9.1) 87 to provide information to the public.
— Implement action to protect the public, workers, responders, and the economy from the actual or
perceived radiological risk by implementing action consistent with international standards (see.
Ref. [11]).
— If, after re-entry, the area of impact can be bounded, implement provision to locate debris and
instruct the public to avoid and report suspicious objects.
— If significant public contamination or exposure is possible, implement, as appropriate, the action
guide for Public contamination/exposure.
— If serious overexposure is suspected, implement, as appropriate, the action guide for Serious
overexposure.
— If a dangerous source is to be recovered, implement, as appropriate, the action guide for Recovery
of an uncontrolled dangerous source.
Public information officer/team:
— Operate under the ICS incident commander.
— Initiate media briefings from a single official source if the emergency receives media or public
87 If the public announcement is delayed, prepare public information and a spokesperson to be used when the news of the
emergency reaches the media and public.
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