NASA Procedures and Guidelines
This Document is Obsolete and Is No Longer Used. Check the NODIS Library to access the current version: http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov
NPR 8715.3 Eff. Date: January 24, 2000 Cancellation Date: September 12, 2006	NASA Safety Manual w/Change 2, 03/31/04
| TOC | Change | Preface | Chapter1 | Chapter2 | Chapter3 | Chapter4 | Chapter5 | Chapter6 | Chapter7 | Chapter8 | Chapter9 | AppendixA | AppendixB | AppendixC | AppendixD | AppendixE | AppendixF | AppendixG | AppendixH | AppendixI | AppendixJ | AppendixK | ALL |

CHAPTER 5. Nuclear Safety for Launching of Radioactive Materials

5.1 Purpose

5.1.1 This chapter provides internal NASA procedural requirements for characterizing and reporting potential risks associated with a planned launch of radioactive materials into space, on launch vehicles and spacecraft, during normal or abnormal flight conditions. Procedures and levels of review and analysis required for nuclear launch safety approval vary with the quantity of radioactive material planned for use and the perceived and potential risk to the general public and the environment.

5.1.2 An analysis or evaluation may be required in accordance with paragraph 9 of Presidential Directive/National Security Council Memorandum Number 25 (PD/NSC-25), "Scientific or Technological Experiments with Possible Large-Scale Adverse Environmental Effects and Launch of Nuclear Systems into Space," dated December 14, 1977, as revised on May 8, 1996, in obtaining nuclear launch safety approval. Guidance on procedures, requirements, or licensing details for using, storing, shipping, or handling radioactive materials in ground processing facilities or activities or in preparation for space uses is not included in this chapter. (See paragraph 6.1.10.) The tracking of radiation exposures to workers is also not included in this chapter.

5.1.3 NASA missions involving the launch of radioactive materials must also comply with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), following the policy and procedures contained in 14 CFR Subpart 1216.3, "Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)," NPR 8580.1, "Implementating the National Environmental Policy Act, and Executive Order 12114" (Requirement 25118).

5.2 Overview

5.2.1 Compliance with space nuclear launch safety processes is the responsibility of senior NASA officials involved with the control and processing of radioactive materials for launch into space (Requirement 25119). Acceptability of the potential risk of launching and use of nuclear materials in space is determined by the NASA Administrator or designee, as appropriate (Requirement 32190).

5.2.2 Basic designs of vehicles, spacecraft, and systems utilizing radioactive materials should provide protection to the public, the environment, and users such that radiation doses resulting from exposures to the radiation sources are as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). Nuclear safety considerations shall be incorporated from the initial design stages throughout all project stages to ensure the overall mission radiological health risk is acceptable (Requirement 25120).

5.2.3 All space flight equipment (including medical and other experimental uses) that contain or use radioactive materials shall be identified and analyzed (per paragraph 5.4) to identify the degree of introduced radiological risk (Requirement 25121).

5.2.4 NASA shall develop or ensure development of site-specific ground operations and radiological contingency plans commensurate with the risk represented by the planned launch of nuclear materials (Requirement 25122). Contingency planning, as required by the Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan, will include provisions for emergency response, including support for source recovery efforts (Requirement 32191). NPD 8710.1, "Emergency Preparedness Program Policy," and NPR 8715.2, "NASA Emergency Preparedness Plan Procedural Requirements," address the NASA emergency preparedness policy and program requirements.

5.2.5 NASA shall apply the range safety requirements, with regard to safe launching of radioactive materials, specified in range safety standards (Requirement 25123).

5.3 Responsibilities

5.3.1 The Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (OSMA) shall do the following:

5.3.1.1 Ensure that launches of radioactive materials are approved in accordance with paragraph 9 of PD/NSC-25, as applicable (Requirement 32192).

5.3.1.2 Assist in the reviews or evaluations of nuclear safety (Requirement 32193).

5.3.1.3 Reserved.

5.3.1.4 Reserved.

5.3.1.5 Prepare, coordinate, and provide the required notification of planned launches of radioactive materials to the Executive Office of the President, Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) (Requirement 32196).

5.3.1.6 Designate a Nuclear Flight Safety Assurance Manager (NFSAM), and, after a request by the program or mission office, designate a NASA coordinator to support each empanelled ad hoc Interagency Nuclear Safety Review Panel (INSRP); and provide for the support to assist the program/project offices in meeting the required nuclear launch safety analysis/evaluation (Requirement 32197). Appointment of the NFSAM and INSRP coordinator(s) requires the concurrence of the affected Strategic Enterprise(s) (Requirement 32198). In appropriate circumstances, the NFSAM and NASA INSRP coordinator(s) may be separate individuals.

5.3.1.7 Review all radiological contingency and emergency planning as part of the OSMA Compliance Verification Process to ensure complicance with PD/NSC-25 (Requirement 025).

5.3.2 Enterprise/program/project offices shall do the following:

5.3.2.1 Designate an individual responsible for ensuring the implementation of the requirements for nuclear launch safety approval in accordance with paragraph 9 of PD/NSC-25. (Requirement 32200).

5.3.2.2 Confer with the NASA Headquarters NFSAM as soon as radioactive sources are identified for potential use on NASA spacecraft to schedule the nuclear launch safety approval activities (Requirement 32201).

5.3.2.3 Identify the amount of radioactive material and applicable process for documenting the risk represented by the use of radioactive materials planned for use on the launch in accordance with paragraph 5.4 and provide required reports in accordance with paragraph 5.5 (Requirement 32202).

5.3.2.4 Prepare or have prepared the nuclear safety analyses and obtain nuclear launch safety approval or launch concurrence or approval in accordance with paragraph 5.4 as required (Requirement 32203).

5.3.3 NASA Centers, facilities, and laboratories shall do the following:

5.3.3.1 Ensure, to the extent of responsibility applicable under defined licensing/permitting documentation or agreements, compliance with all pertinent directives, licenses, agreements, and requirements promulgated by appropriate regulatory agencies relative to the use of radioactive materials planned for a space launch (Requirement 32204).

5.3.3.2 Coordinate with appropriate program/project office(s) to ensure radioactive source reports that are submitted per paragraph 5.5.2 accurately reflect all known radioactive sources under the control of that Center which are intended for flight (Requirement 32205).

5.3.4 NASA launch and landing sites, in addition to the responsibilities of NASA Centers, facilities, and laboratories as per paragraph 5.3.3, shall perform the following:

5.3.4.1 For planned launches or landings of radioactive sources from the United States or its territories or possessions, as appropriate:

a. Develop and implement site-specific ground operations and radiological contingency plans to address potential ground handling accidents and potential launch/landing accident scenarios, and to support source recovery operations commensurate with the radioactive materials present (Requirement 32207).

b. Exercise contingency response capabilities as deemed necessary to ensure adequate readiness of participants and adequacy of planning to protect the public, site personnel, and facilities (Requirement 32208).

c. Ensure appropriate and timely coordination with regional Federal, State, territorial, and local emergency management authorities to provide for support to and coordination with offsite emergency response elements (Requirement 32209).

d. Make provisions for special offsite monitoring and assistance in recovery if radioactive materials could spread into areas outside the geographical boundaries of the launch site (Requirement 32210).

5.3.4.2 Establish a radiological control center (RADCC) for launches and landings with radioactive sources possessing a significant health or environmental risk, or having an activity of A₂ mission multiple greater than 1,000 as determined per paragraph 5.4.2, or as specified in applicable interagency agreements (Requirement 32211). The RADCC will provide technical support and coordination with other Federal/State/territorial/local agencies in the case of a launch or landing accident that may result in the release of radioactive materials. The RADCC shall be staffed commensurate with the risk associated with the radioactive materials present (Requirement 32212). The RADCC shall be operational during launch and landing phases anytime there is a potential for an accident that could release radioactive material (Requirement 32213).

5.3.5 The NASA INSRP coordinator for an empanelled INSRP shall do the following:

5.3.5.1 Coordinate NASA's participation in activities required for the generation of the Safety Evaluation Report (SER) including coordination with program/project personnel to ensure adequate information is available to the INSRP (Requirement 32214).

5.3.5.2 Make arrangements for NASA employees to provide technical assistance to the INSRP (Requirement 32215). Coordinate the support needs of those selected to provide this assistance with NASA Headquarters Offices and through the NASA Center, Facility, and Laboratory Directors as may be appropriate (i.e.; travel, funding, technical) (Requirement 32216).

5.3.6 The Office of Security and Program Protection shall do the following:

5.3.6.1 Ensure appropriate coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency) to provide adequate emergency and recovery planning for all NASA missions with a threshold of 1,000 for A₂ mission multiple as defined in paragraph 5.4.2 (Requirement 32194).

5.3.6.2 Ensure that radiological emergency and recovery plans are developed and ensure their implementation where NASA is the Lead Federal Aency as defined by the Natonal Response Plan - Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex (Requirement 32195).

5.3.6.3 Upon request, provide the program manager and OSMA with mission specific information recommended for consideration in the launch or potention accident site emergency response and clean-up planning as a part of the nuclear launch approval process (Requirement 2).

5.4 The Nuclear Launch Safety Approval Process

5.4.1 The level of analysis, evaluation, review, and concurrence or approval required for radiological risk assessment varies with the total activity of radioactive materials planned for launch as follows:

5.4.1.1 For all planned launches of radioactive materials, the A2 mission multiple value shall be used to determine the level of assessment required. (Requirement 32217).

5.4.1.2 The NASA office responsible for the mission shall inform the NFSAM as soon as radioactive material is identified for potential use (Requirement 32218). Notification shall consist of the information contained in the report format described in paragraph 5.5.2 (Requirement 32219). This notification is required for NASA payload launches, on NASA launch vehicles, and when NASA facilities or sites are used (Requirement 32220).

5.4.1.3 If NASA participates in the launch of a vehicle or spacecraft from other countries or territories, and these vehicles or spacecraft contain a radioactive source, the program/project office shall consult with the NFSAM and the NASA Office of the General Counsel to determine what provisions, if any, of this chapter apply (Requirement 32221).

5.4.1.4 The total mission radioactive material activity shall be determined for all radioactive materials contained on the launch to calculate the total A₂ mission multiple per paragraph 5.4.2 (Requirement 32222). The A₂ mission multiple shall be the highest of the algebraic sum of the isotopes' A₂ multiples at launch, anytime the spacecraft will be in earth orbit, or during near earth interplanetary flight (e.g., Earth Gravity Assists) (Requirement 32223).

5.4.2 Determination of A₂ Mission Multiple.

The A₂ multiplier for each radioactive source shall be based upon the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Safety Series Number 6, Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, 1985 Edition as amended in 1990, Section III, paragraphs 301 through 306, and then summed to determine the A₂ mission multiple (Requirement 25130). Table I of Appendix G of this NPR contains the referenced IAEA document section which tabulates the A₂ values for specific isotopes and forms of radioactive material. Except as noted, for radioisotopes whose A₂ limit in Table I is "Unlimited" or is unlisted, the value of 3.7x10^-2 teraBecquerals (TBq) (1.0 Curies (Ci)) shall be used as the A₂ value (Requirement 32224). Exceptions are Sm-147 which shall use 9x10^-4 TBq (0.024 Ci) and Th-232 which shall use 9x10^-5 TBq (0.0024 Ci) as their respective A₂ values (Requirement 32225).

The A₂ mission multiple shall be determined as follows:

where n represents each source or line on the reports in paragraph 5.5.2 for each radioactive material on the launch vehicle and spacecraft (Requirement 32226).

5.4.3 Paragraphs 5.4.4 through 5.4.7 describe the internal NASA nuclear launch safety process.
Table 5.1 provides a summary of the reviews.

Table 5.1. Nuclear Launch Safety Approval Summary

5.4.4 For launches with A₂ mission multiples of less than 0.001 (in addition to requirements in paragraph 5.4.1), the program manager shall request nuclear launch safety concurrence in writing (Requirement 25132). The request should be submitted to the NFSAM a minimum of 4 months prior to launch. The request should be accompanied by the Radioactive Materials Report required by paragraphs 5.4.1.1 and 5.5.2. The NFSAM will review the report and will inform the program manager in writing of concurrence/non-concurrence and any safety concerns not less than 2 months prior to launch (Requirement 32227).

5.4.5 For launches with A₂ mission multiples of between 0.001 and 10 (in addition to the requirements in paragraph 5.4.1), the program manager shall request nuclear launch safety concurrence in writing (Requirement 25133). The request should be submitted to the NFSAM a minimum of 4 months prior to launch. The request should be accompanied by the Radioactive Materials Report required by paragraph 5.4.1.1 and 5.5.2. The NFSAM will review the request and will inform the program manager in writing of nuclear launch safety concurrence/non-concurrence (with any safety concerns) not less than 2 months prior to launch. Launches of these quantities of radioactive materials are reported quarterly to OSTP by the NFSAM (Requirement 32228).

5.4.6 For launches with A_2, mission multiples of equal to or greater than 10 but less than 500 (in addition to the requirements contained in paragraph 5.4.1), the following apply:

5.4.6.1 Notification that a planned launch may contain radioactive materials in this range shall be made to the NFSAM and shall consist of the information contained in the Radioactive Materials Report required by paragraph 5.5.2, as a minimum (Requirement 25134). The report should be made as soon as the program identifies radioactive materials for potential use.

5.4.6.2 The NFSAM, in consultation with the program manager, shall make a preliminary scoping of the radiological risk to identify the extent of analyses needed as part of a pre-launch nuclear safety review (Requirement 32230). The NFSAM and the program manager shall determine a mutually agreed schedule for developing a nuclear safety review (Requirement 32231).

5.4.6.3 The program manager shall prepare or have prepared a nuclear safety review of the radiological risk of the proposed mission (Requirement 32232). The review shall contain, as a minimum, the following:

a. The report described in paragraph 5.5.2 (Requirement 32233).

b. Program excerpts describing the mission (Requirement 32234).

c. Probability of launch and in-flight accidents which could result in release of radioactive materials on the Earth (Requirement 32235).

d. Reasonable upper bound of health and environmental effects due to a radioactive material release (Requirement 32236).

e. Mission-specific information recommended for consideration in the launch or potential accident site emergency response and clean-up planning (Requirement 32237).

5.4.6.4 The nuclear safety review shall be provided to the AA/OSMA along with a request for nuclear safety launch concurrence (Requirement 32238). The request should be made approximately 5 months prior to launch.

5.4.6.5 The NFSAM shall notify OSTP of the planned launch as a part of the quarterly report of planned launches (Requirement 32239).

5.4.7 For launches with A₂ mission multiples of equal to or greater than 500 but less than 1,000 (in addition to the requirements contained in paragraph 5.4.1), the following apply:

5.4.7.1 Notification that a planned launch may contain radiological materials in this range shall be made to the NFSAM and shall consist of the information contained in the Radioactive Sources Report required by paragraph 5.5.2 as a minimum (Requirement 32240). The report should be made as soon as the program identifies radioactive materials for potential use (Requirement 32241).

5.4.7.2 The NFSAM shall make a preliminary assessment of the radiological risk and provide a written assessment to the program manager (Requirement 32242). The NFSAM and the program manager shall determine a mutually agreed to schedule for nuclear launch safety analyses and review activities to be conducted to support a nuclear launch safety concurrence request (Requirement 32243).

5.4.7.3 The program manager shall prepare or have prepared a Safety Analysis Summary (SAS) that, in coordination with the NFSAM, addresses the radiological risk of the proposed mission (Requirement 32244). The level of detail in the SAS will be commensurate with the radiological risk. The program is encouraged to use other program documentation to provide mission and potential accident information in the SAS. As a minimum, the SAS shall contain the following:

a. Brief descriptions of the planned mission, schedule, launch vehicle, and spacecraft to include operations while in-orbit and during near-earth flight (Requirement 32245).

b. Description of all radioactive materials, their physical state/chemical form, and quantities (Requirement 32246).

c. Brief descriptions, probabilities, and resulting consequences of launch and in-flight accidents that could result in release of radiological materials on the Earth (Requirement 32247).

d. Estimate of any health and environmental effects due to a radioactive material release (Requirement 32248).

e. Mission specific information recommended for consideration in the launch or potential accident site emergency response and clean-up planning (Requirement 32249).

5.4.7.4 The NFSAM shall review the SAS and provide timely comments to the program, in accordance with the mutually agreed schedule (Requirement 32250). Approximately 5 months before launch, the SAS shall be forwarded to the NASA Administrator by the program, with concurrence of the AA/OSMA, with a request for nuclear launch safety approval from the NASA Administrator (Requirement 32251).

5.4.7.5 The NFSAM shall notify OSTP of the planned launch as a part of the quarterly report of planned launches (Requirement 32252).

5.4.8 For launches with A₂ mission multiples equal to or greater than 1000 (in addition to requirements in paragraph 5.4.1), the following apply:

5.4.8.1 Notification that a planned launch may contain radioactive materials in this range shall be made to the NFSAM and shall consist of the information contained in the Radioactive Sources Report required by paragraph 5.5.2 as a minimum (Requirement 32253). The report should be made as soon as the program identifies radioactive materials for potential use (Requirement 32254).

5.4.8.2 The program manager, in coordination with the OSMA, shall request the NASA Administrator empanel an ad hoc INSRP for that mission (Requirement 32255). INSRP empanelling should occur soon after the program identifies radioactive materials for potential use. The time required for an INSRP can be lengthy and must be factored into the program master schedule (Requirement 32256). The membership and responsibilities of the empanelled INSRP shall be in accordance with PD/NSC-25 (Requirement 32257).

5.4.8.3 The program manager shall prepare or have prepared a Safety Analysis Report (SAR) (Requirement 32258). The level of detail and content of the SAR will be commensurate with the mission radiological risk. In cases where DOE provides the radioactive material, the DOE programmatic SAR may be adopted to satisfy this requirement, in accordance with the interagency agreement(s) for specific missions. In cases where launch vehicles, configuration, and radioactive materials are similar, the program manager, in consultation with the NFSAM and the INSRP, is encouraged to use a comparative analysis based upon previous mission(s) safety analyses that bound the anticipated risk for the new mission. Where radioactive materials are being provided from multiple sources, the program manager may provide a single or multiple SAR/SAS document(s) to best meet this requirement.

5.4.8.4 The program manager is encouraged to begin coordination with the empanelled ad hoc INSRP in the early stages of mission development. The program manager should invite the INSRP to review the development of launch and mission accident scenarios, probabilities of occurrence, dispersion, specification of associated environments, and health effects via documentation and program safety reviews. The INSRP normally reviews and evaluates all program documentation associated with the radioactive material safety for completeness and defensibility. The INSRP evaluation is documented in a Safety Evaluation Report (SER). The INSRP is normally assisted in its evaluation effort by expert consultants in various specialized areas from a number of Government agencies, national laboratories, industry, and academia.

5.4.8.5 The SAR shall be delivered to the INSRP according to a schedule mutually agreed upon by the INSRP and the program manager with the understanding that a SER should be completed at least 4 months before launch (Requirement 32260). The mutually agreed upon schedule should address the planned analysis schedule, base assumptions, analysis limitations/bounds, and model descriptions associated with the SAR development. Interim reviews should be held to review all individual analyses before completion and provide evaluation status of analyses as of a given date.

5.4.8.6 The INSRP prepares a SER of the radiological risk analyzed in the SAR (Requirement 32261). The SER, along with the SAR and other related documents, are considered by the NASA Administrator before requesting nuclear launch safety approval in accordance with PD/NSC-25.

5.4.9 For any orbiting spacecraft,being resupplied or modified in which the U.S. Government is the lead (e.g.; International Space Station), a nuclear launch safety approval for a mission is required when the total onboard A₂ mission multiple will exceed 10 for the orbiting spacecraft (Requirement 25137). Safety analyses and reviews shall be performed to the level of detail and launch concurrence/approval requirements defined in paragraph 5.4.7 for in-flight accidents (Requirement 32262). An INSRP shall only be required when the A₂ mission multiple will exceed 1,000 per paragraph 5.4.8 (Requirement 32263).

5.5 Report Requirements

5.5.1 Nuclear launch safety analyses (e.g., SAS, SAR) and evaluation (e.g., SER) are described in the previous paragraphs.

5.5.2 Radioactive Materials Report

The Radioactive Materials Report shall be used by NASA program/project offices and NASA Centers/facilities/laboratories to report planned launches of radioactive materials and request for nuclear launch concurrence/approval (Requirement 32265). The NFSAM shall use this report format for the quarterly report used to notify OSTP of planned launches (Requirement 32266). Figures 5.1 and 5.2 show the format for the reports for planned launch and for resupplying radioactive materials to on-orbit spacecraft. Entries shall be made for each isotope source (Requirement 32267). Isotopes of similar size, chemical form, and activity level may be combined on a single line entry.

Figure 5.2 shows the format for the report for orbiting spacecraft which are resupplied (e.g., Space Station).

Figure 5.2. Radioactive Materials On-Board Report

The Activity and Radioactive Material Limits table is located in Appendix G.

DISTRIBUTION:
NODIS