RORSAT ENTERS IN CANADA

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06863657
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: September 30, 2020
• Case Number: F-2019-01181
• Publication Date: January 25, 1978

pproved for Release: 2020/09/28 C06863657
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Weapons Intelligence
Daily Review
25 January 1978
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W1 W1DR 78-017J
25 January 1978
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OFFICE OF WEAPONS INTELLIGENCE
Weapons Intelligence Daily Review
25 JANUARY 1978
RORSAT ENTERS IN CANADA
on 24 January Cosmos 954, the
Soviet radar ocean reconnaissance satellite (RORSAT)
reentered the earth's atmos here over western Cana .a
visual
sight ngs were reporte by res �ents o the Pine Point
community just south of Great Slave Lake which,
although sketchy, correlate with the reentry of Cosmos
954. Although we are unable at this time to det rm
if any fragments survived reentry
Of primary concern is the extent to which the nuclear
reactor broke up during reentry and what fragments, if
any, impacted on earth. We believe the reactor is of
the Romashka type (see figure 2).. This system uses 49
kg of U-235.
We believe there is a high probability that the reactor
broke up during reentry. However, the graphite fuel
disks (see figure 3) could have survived. The high
altitude dispersion of the fuel would pose a minimum
health hazard; fine radioactive particles reaching the
ground would also pose a minimal health hazard.
Multiple fragments reaching the earth's surface
Increase the hazard potential to a severe level. Should
the Romashka fuel disks impact intact, the debris would
he lethal within a ten font radius.
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Figure 2
Cutaway View of the ROMASHKA Reactor-Converter Assembly
Thermal insulator
Thermal insulator
Reflector cup
(thermal insulation)
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Shims
End face reflector
Container reflector
Converter radiator
Fuel disc
Be reflector
Control rod
Vessel
End face reflector
Cutaway View of the ROMASHKA Fuel Disc
Graphite
UC2
575110 178
Figure 3
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