Verification of a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty from space: A preliminary study

A preliminary examination of the use of commercially available observation satellite data indicates that the verification of a CTBT could be enhanced by the use of such data in conjunction with the more conventional methods such as seismology. Observation from space can be considered essential because the detections of the preparations for a test is possible only by such means. Underground explosions can be detected from space allowing precise determination of the location of the explosion. Most important aspect of monitoring from space is the fact that it could be used by anyone. Satellite imageries could be acquired commercially. A test site could be effectively monitored by only a few images per year as underground tests are confined to specific sites which are very few