우주에서 핵동력원 사용 원칙 (Principles relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space)

서지정보

· 발행기관 : 충북대학교 법학연구소
· 수록지 정보 : 과학기술과 법 / 8권 / 2호 / 171 ~ 187페이지
· 저자명 : 정영진

초록

In late 2017, Cassinni, a probe launched in 1997 to study the planet Saturn, has finally completed its mission. During its 20 years of life time, Cassini had flown more than 3.4 billion km, around three times the distance between Earth and Mars. It was Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator(RTG), a type of nuclear power source, that supplied power for this long duration flight. For decades, RTGs have provided power for many spacecrafts, particularly for deep space missions, as critical substitute for batteries or solar panels.
The use of nuclear power source for space applications, however, does not go without risks. In January 1978, COSMOS-954, a reconnaissance satellite launched by the Soviet Union, fell in the northern part of Canada, and radioactivity was detected in the fragments of the satellite. Fortunately, there were no damages to human life or public health as the accident area was far away from residential area. But it is said that the radioactivity caused damaging environmental impact in the accident area.
The COSMOS-954 incident was not the first accident involving the space objects carrying RTG. In April 1964, a navigation satellite launched by USA, Transit 5BN-3, crashed into Indian Ocean, failing to enter into orbit; the RTG onboard the satellite was also destroyed.
There were other incidents in which radioactivity was detected from space objects belonging to the Soviet Union and USA. Nevertheless, Cosmos-954 did spark public debate over the appropriateness of the user of nuclear power systems and build up the momentum for the international community to eventually adopt the “Principles relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space.” These Principles now constitute one of the core elements of the international space law.
The first part of this article provides an overview of the historical background and the discussion leading to the adoption of the principles.
In the second part, the article explains their contents in detail. Lastly, the implication and application of these principles to the Republic of Korea’s lunar orbiter to be launched in 2020 is discussed.

영어초록

In late 2017, Cassinni, a probe launched in 1997 to study the planet Saturn, has finally completed its mission. During its 20 years of life time, Cassini had flown more than 3.4 billion km, around three times the distance between Earth and Mars. It was Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator(RTG), a type of nuclear power source, that supplied power for this long duration flight. For decades, RTGs have provided power for many spacecrafts, particularly for deep space missions, as critical substitute for batteries or solar panels.
The use of nuclear power source for space applications, however, does not go without risks. In January 1978, COSMOS-954, a reconnaissance satellite launched by the Soviet Union, fell in the northern part of Canada, and radioactivity was detected in the fragments of the satellite. Fortunately, there were no damages to human life or public health as the accident area was far away from residential area. But it is said that the radioactivity caused damaging environmental impact in the accident area.
The COSMOS-954 incident was not the first accident involving the space objects carrying RTG. In April 1964, a navigation satellite launched by USA, Transit 5BN-3, crashed into Indian Ocean, failing to enter into orbit; the RTG onboard the satellite was also destroyed.
There were other incidents in which radioactivity was detected from space objects belonging to the Soviet Union and USA. Nevertheless, Cosmos-954 did spark public debate over the appropriateness of the user of nuclear power systems and build up the momentum for the international community to eventually adopt the “Principles relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space.” These Principles now constitute one of the core elements of the international space law.
The first part of this article provides an overview of the historical background and the discussion leading to the adoption of the principles.
In the second part, the article explains their contents in detail. Lastly, the implication and application of these principles to the Republic of Korea’s lunar orbiter to be launched in 2020 is discussed.

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