 |
|
Soyuz in French Guiana
Soyuz in Guiana, a risk for health?A newspaper account of a Russian study on the impact of space activity at Baikonur on the health of local populations has raised questions about the installation of the Soyuz launcher in The unpublished study which led to the press coverage appears to refer mainly to the Russian PROTON launcher which is different to the Soyuz launcher. The very nature of the launchers, the launch modes and the choice of site (with a wide opening towards the ocean) as well as the rules which are applied at the CSG for protecting life, property and the environment, enable us to assert that the conclusions of this study, as reported, do not apply to the Soyuz project in Guiana. Furthermore surveillance of the environment on the base is undertaken with independent organisations. Generally speaking, the protection of life, property and the environment is an absolute priority for the CNES/CSG and any rocket launched from the Guiana Space Centre has to comply with French regulations under the supervision of the authorities. The launches of all missions from the Guiana Space Centre point towards the sea. This is one of the main reasons why the site was chosen, in order to comply with CNES/CSG range safety objectives. The characteristics of the Soyuz launcher in GuianaThe Soyuz launcher mainly uses liquid oxygen (about 183 tonnes) and kerosene (about 74 tonnes) for its propulsion as they do not involve any intrinsic toxic risk. The combustion products are identical to those of automobile or aircraft engines (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and oxygen, etc.) Range safety rules at the Guiana Space CentreThe toxic nature of this propellant has been carefully studied and the conclusions taken into account when defining range safety rules for all situations: storage and handling phases on the ground, nominal flight and also for in-flight accidents. These precautions guarantee the protection of people both for nominal and accident situations. The stages fall back into the sea 350 km away and are equipped so that they can be neutralised with no risk of contamination for people and also sunk in order to avoid any floating wreckage. Preparation of the arival of the new soyuz launcherAny evolution at the Guiana Space centre, in particular major ones as the accommodation of a new launcher, must remain in conformity with the CNES range safety doctrine and the CSG range safety regulations. The CNES/CSG thus takes part systematically in studies relating to such evolutions and also ensures fully its role of technical authority regarding range safety towards the official authorities. It is in particular about:
On the part implemented on the ground of the Soyuz launch complex (ELS), the precise definition of the infrastructures was validated after the traditional review of project. The file was also the subject to a request for authorization by the proper authorities. This request includes a study of risk assessment and impact on the environment. The file was the subject to a public investigation at the beginning of 2006, in accordance with the present procedures. The building permit was given by the
The plan for Environmental proceduresA final plan for environmental procedures will be set up in order to evaluate the impact of the Soyuz launching activities on the environment. The main study areas will be:
|