cross-posted from: https://piefed.world/c/tech/p/1251255/mit-researcher-proposes-a-way-to-detect-nuclear-weapons-in-space
A nuclear detonation in low-Earth orbit — the region about 100 miles to 1,200 miles above Earth’s surface — would release trillions of highly energetic electrons that would destroy many of the satellites in space, disrupting telecommunications networks, GPS, space-based internet, and more
Danagoulian describes his idea for a satellite-based sensor system that could orbit close by a suspect satellite and detect neutrons generated by high-energy protons colliding with radioactive material.
Ok, but don’t RTGs (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator) also emit neutrons? How would the sensor system tell the difference between a warhead and a generator?
RTGs aren’t used for power in earth orbit, because of the danger of releasing the radioactive contents on deorbit and because there’s enough sunlight here to make solar a much better option (lighter, cheaper).
RTGs are mostly used for the outer solar system where the sun is too dim to be useful.
“The world’s first commercial nuclear-powered satellite, the BOHR CubeSat, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on July 7, 2026.”
I think this one used a betavoltaic battery which may be safer but I haven’t spent a lot of time researching it.
I’m pretty sure it uses a combination of solar and betavoltaic’s tritium battery
