VCDNP Engages at CTBTO Science and Technology Conference 2015

The Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) staff presented at the Science and Technology Conference held by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) from 22 to 26 June 2015. The weeklong event was the fifth in a series of multidisciplinary conferences designed to further enhance relationships between the scientific and technological community and the CTBTO.

On 22 June, VCDNP Executive Director Laura Rockwood led a panel on "Collaboration on Nuclear Test Monitoring Science," which also featured Frank Klotz, US Under-Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator, and Robin Grimes, UK Chief Scientific Adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The panel explored the benefits of multilateral collaboration in the science of nuclear test monitoring and helped illuminate the value of a strong relationship between the CTBTO and the academic, scientific, and technological communities, not only in maximizing those benefits but also in ensuring that the International Monitoring System remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

In addition, on 24 June, VCDNP Research Associate Tamara Patton presented her work on "Emerging Small Satellites for Verification Support" under the conference theme "Advanced Sensor Technologies." In partnership with Skybox Imaging, European Space Imaging, and Copernicus, and with support from the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the VCDNP research project examined the potential verification utility of emerging Earth observation capabilities such as frequent revisit rates afforded by agile constellations of small satellites, high-definition video, and emerging synthetic aperture radar systems. Article IV of the CTBT makes specific reference to the consideration of satellite monitoring as a possible future verification technology, and the project explores how small satellites in particular might support explosive event characterization, localization, and other on-site inspection technologies.