Searching for the “smoking gun” of the miscarried 2019 Nenoksa nuclear cruise missile test: a null result

Imke Spykman (1) , Tobias Blenke (2) , Sebastian Büchner (2) , Detlev Degering (3) , Konstantinos Eleftheriadis (4) , Helmut W. Fischer (5) , George Lasche (6) , Olivier Masson (7) , Jerzy W. Mietelski (8) , Daniela Ransby (9) , Franz Renz (10) , Maria Evangelia Souti (11) , Dorian Zok (12) , Georg Steinhauser (13)

1 Universität Hannover, Institute of Radioecology and Radiation Protection
2 Leibniz Universität Hannover, Institute of Radioecology and Radiation Protection
3 VKTA-Strahlenschutz, Analytik & Entsorgung Rossendorf e.V
4 NCSR “Demokritos” - Environmental Radioactivity Lab, Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy & Safety, NCSR “Demokritos”
5 University of Bremen - Radioactivity Measurements Laboratory, Institute of Environmental Physics
6 LLC - Snakedance Scientific
7 IRSN/PSE-ENV/SEREN/LEREN - Laboratoire d'étude et d'expertise sur la radioactivité de l'environnement
8 IFJ - Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences
9 AWI - Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
10 Leibniz Universität Hannover, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry
11 University of Bremen - University of Bremen, Radioactivity Measurements Laboratory, Institute of Environmental Physics
12 Leibniz Universität Hannover, Institute of Radioecology and Radiation Protection
13 Leibniz Universität Hannover, Institute of Radioecology andRadiation Protection

On August 8, 2019, an explosion of a military missile occurred at the Nenoksa (also transcribed as Nyonoksa) Missile Test Center (Russian Federation). Russian authorities confirmed arelease of radioactive material in the course of this incident,which fueled rumors that it could have involved a nuclear-propelled missile of the Burevestnik/Skyfall type. In this study,our radioanalytical efforts are summarized searching for the“smoking gun” of the incident. These included the gamma-measurements of air filters from two vessels that were in someproximity to the event as well as one Greek high-volume airfilter. In addition, we tested the hypothesis that radioactive 42Ar may have been used to operate a radiothermal generator. If the incident had released 42Ar, it may have become detectable by measuring characteristic gamma radiation emitted from a tank containing liquefied atmospheric argon. No traces what so ever were found that could provide clues about the release. It is possible that the presumably small amounts of radionuclides released from either a small nuclear reactor or a powerful radionuclide source dispersed quickly over Russian territory to non-detectable levels before reaching any of our assayed samples.

Domaines: Sciences de l'environnement

Imke Spykman, Tobias Blenke, Sebastian Büchner, Detlev Degering, Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, et al.. Searching for the “smoking gun” of the miscarried 2019 Nenoksa nuclear cruise missile test: a null result. Journal of Inorganic and General Chemistry / Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, In press, 647 (4), pp.350-358. ⟨10.1002/zaac.202000291⟩. ⟨hal-03360614⟩