Science News: Blue Moon, a Prototype Human Spacecraft for Moon Survival

This article discusses the development of Blue Moon, a prototype human spacecraft by Blue Origin, which aims to enable long-term survival on the moon at a lower cost. The spacecraft can carry 3 tons to the moon and is expected to be ready by 2024.

SECTION A. SCIENCE NEWS
Blue moon.
This is a space program. A prototype of a human spacecraft that will make human
beings survive for years on the moon at a lower cost. the spacecraft is called blue
moon and is being developed by the blue origin. It can carry 3 tons to the moon.
This project will be ready by 2024.
References.
Going to space to benefit earth (Full event replay), May 2019,
https://www.blueorigin.com/news/going-to-space-to-benefit-earth-full-event-replay.
Blue Origin, (Accessed on 13/05/2019).
SECTION B PHYSICS EXPERIMENT
Mongolia Bow and airbus.
Engineers of the Airbus A380 were concerned about the impact this massive plane
will have when it collides with birds. As a result, they did various experiments to
determine what is the suitable material to us. Interestingly they found out that a
they can combine fiberglass and aluminum to make the surface of the planes
strong. What inspired them is a Mongolian bow.
References.
Xinhua, The last stand of traditional Mongolian Bow, June 2017,
http://www.xinhuanet.com//english/2017-06/09/c_136350904.htm. (Accessed on
13/05/2019).
SECTION C. SHORT ANSWERS QUESTIONS.
1. (5 pts) Briefly, what is meant by “horizontal proliferation”?
Horizontal proliferation: These are nations or countries that do not have nuclear
weapons but are in a process of nuclear weapon capability development or are
acquiring nuclear weapons or the materials to produce their own nuclear weapons.
Vertical proliferation: these are nations or countries that already have their nuclear
weapons and developing these weapons to increase reliability or sophistication and
thus increasing their stockpiles.
References.
Sidel V., Levy B., Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons: Opportunities for Control and
Abolition, September 2007, Am J Public Health.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1963312/ (Accessed 13/05/2019).
2. (5 pts) Give a couple of ways in which chemical reactions differ from
nuclear.

Chemical reactions occur on the valence electrons while nuclear reactions occur in
the nucleus.
In chemical reaction there is a new atomic species while in nuclear reaction there is
no formation of new species.
The energy released in nuclear reaction is very large as compare to that released
by the chemical reactions.
References.
Popa. F, How are chemical and nuclear reaction different?, November 2018,
https://www.quora.com/How-are-chemical-and-nuclear-reactions-different.
(Accessed 13/05/2019).
3. (10 pts) What are the four principal technologies used by the
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization to monitor for nuclear
weapons? Why these, please explain.
The four principal technologies used by CTBT to monitor nuclear weapons are:
 Forensic seismology monitoring:
Used to monitor the underground for any explosions.
 Hydroacoustic monitoring
Used to monitor the waters for any explosions.
 Infrasound monitoring
Used to monitor the atmosphere for any explosions
 Radionuclei monitoring.
The CTBT was formed to prevent any form of nuclear explosions. Thus, the four
technologies are used to detect explosion occurring anywhere on earth.
Wikipedia, Comprehensive Nuclear test ban treaty, May 2019,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comprehensive_Nuclear-Test-Ban_Treaty. (Accessed on
13/05/2015).
4. (10 pts) There are people who say that one of the huge explosions
conducted by North Korea (approximately ten kilotons) was not a
nuclear explosion, but was just a large chemical explosion…
(a) What would be the main difficulty faced by North Korea in
conducting such an explosion and concealing the nature of the test if
in fact it were not nuclear?

(researchgate, Sep 2016)
As seen from the map above, Korea is surrounded by 4 IMS seismic stations.
This means that there was no way they could have tested without being
detected.
(b) What type of observation is needed, by monitoring organizations, for
them to be completely sure that it was not a chemical explosion but
was truly a nuclear explosion?
It was believed that it was a hydrogen bomb while others said it was an
atomic bomb. What is needed to differentiate the two is to examine the site
of explosion. Chemical bombs and atomic bombs produce elements in
different ratios. Thus, examining the ratios of the elements produced, one
can tell whether the explosion was as a result of chemical bomb or atomic
bomb.
References.
Hamama I, https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Map-showing-the-location-of-the-
Sep9-2016-North-Korea-nuclear-test-and-the-surrounding_fig1_319869770.
September 2016, researchgate. (Accessed on 13/05/2019).

Rathi A., Even now no one in the world can tell whether North Korea exploded a
hydrogen bomb, September 2017, https://qz.com/1078290/did-north-korea-
successfully-test-a-hydrogen-bomb/. Quartz, (Accessed on 13/05/2019).
5. (5 pts) What did Iran say is the purpose for enriching uranium to 20%?
In 13th January 2019, the Head of The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mr
Ali Akbar Salehi, announced that Iran is taking its first step to developing uranium to
20%. He said that the enriched uranium would be used in a nuclear reactor in
Tehran.
References.
Farda R., Iran Nuclear Chief Says Working On New 20% Enriched Uranium, 14th
January 2019, https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-nuclear-chief-salehi-new-enriched-
uranium/29708466.html. Iran News, (Accessed on 13/05/2019).
6. (5 pts) What is the main reason President Jimmy Carter gave for
shutting down U.S. efforts in reprocessing of used nuclear fuel?
Jimmy in his speech emphasized on the need to keep maintain nuclear power at
minimum just for energy production purpose and that the USA should try to look for
other sources of energy such as the sun power. Earlier in March 1979, there had
been an accident at one of the reprocessing factories that destroyed $2.4 Billion.
References.
Teltsch k., Carter proposes a nuclear limit, May 1980,
https://www.nytimes.com/1976/05/14/archives/carter-proposes-a-nuclear-limit-at-
un-he-advances-plan-to-halt.html. The New York Times Archives, (Accessed on
13/05/2019).
Wikepedia, Nuclear and radiation accidents and incidents, May 2019,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_and_radiation_accidents_and_incidents.
(Accessed on 13/05/2019).
7. (10 pts) About a year after the end of World War 2, Bernard Baruch on
behalf of the United States put forward a plan under which all nuclear
weapons would be put under international control. Why was his plan
deemed completely unacceptable by the Soviet Union?
The plan was proposed in June 1946. This plan suggested that;
1. Countries should peacefully share scientific information.
2. Countries should implement nuclear power control measures to make sure it
is used peacefully.
3. To eliminate all weapons of mass production such as atomic weapons.
4. To come up with methods and standards of inspections in order to protect the
USA.

The US was ready to do this but the proposal was rejected by The Soviet Union who
believed that the plan would in turn preserve the US nuclear monopoly. The Soviets
claimed that the UN was dominated by the USA members and its allies. Though they
showed interest in nuclear control, they were never for the idea of submission to
international inspection. The Soviets were developing their own atomic bomb and
there was no way they could agree to inspection.
References.
Wikipedia, Baruch Plan, April 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baruch_Plan.
(accessed on 13/05/2019).
8. (5 pts) What were the three main issues of concern to the Non-Nuclear
Weapons States, in the final stages of negotiation of the NPT? Were
they right or wrong in retrospect?
The gland bargain stated that;
1. Countries with no nuclear weapons should not acquire the weapons
2. Disarmament should be done to the countries with nuclear weapon already.
3. Any country has a right to acquire nuclear technology but with peaceful
intentions.
References.
NTI, 2019, Treaty on the Non- proliferation of nuclear weapons, February 2019,
https://www.nti.org/learn/treaties-and-regimes/treaty-on-the-non-proliferation-of-
nuclear-weapons/. (Accessed on 13/05/2019).
9. (5 pts) In what way was the LTBT a major environmental/public health
success?
The test banned any form of nuclear testing everywhere on the planet except
underground testing. The treaty was signed in Moscow in 1963.
The treaty prevented nuclear particles to be released in the air or atmosphere. This
protects people animals and plants from absorbing these particles. Nuclear particles
are readily absorbed by water so testing nuclear weapons in the water would
‘poison’ the water.
References.
Encyclopedia, Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, 2005,
https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-
maps/limited-nuclear-test-ban-treaty. (Accessed on 13/05/2019).
10. (10 pts) Do you rate the 2015 “Iran-deal” a success, a failure, or
irrelevant? Why?
This deal was done to curb Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb. Iran agreed to
reduce the stockpile of its nuclear. Iran agreed to not acquiring enriched uranium
which can be used to make nuclear weapon.

The ban was a success since the economy of Iran. Sanction imposed to Iran by the
US were lifted and the economy grew significantly by 3.5% in 2017.
The Iran deal was a successful. There is a political instability in Iran and the nuclear
could have been misused especially in the wake of ISIS in the region.
References.
Amadeo K, Iran’s economy, the impact of nuclear deal, and sanctions. May 2019,
https://www.thebalance.com/iran-s-economy-impact-of-nuclear-deal-and-sanctions-
3306349. The Balance. (Accessed on 13/05/2019).
11. (5 pts) In what way was the LTBT a failure as a serious arms control
initiative?
The treaty banned any form of nuclear testing everywhere on the planet except
underground testing. The treaty was signed in Moscow in 1963. The treaty was not
serious. It allowed underground explosions meaning that countries could still
produce nuclear weapons and test them. The treaty never explained clearly the
actions or consequences that were to be taken against the countries that preach
this ban. The treaty was lacking on this. As a result, countries such as N. Korea have
been testing their weapons. Thus, the LTBT failed.
References.
Encyclopedia, Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, 2005,
https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-
maps/limited-nuclear-test-ban-treaty. (Accessed on 13/05/2019).
Wikipedia, Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partial_Nuclear_Test_Ban_Treaty. April 2019, Wikipedia,
(Accessed on 13/05/2019).
12. (5 pts) What are the three countries (out of 44) that are required to
sign and ratify the CTBT in order for this treaty to go into effect, that
have NOT signed?

(Wikipedia, 2019)
44 countries were required to sigh sign in order to make this treaty enforceable
(Annex 2). Out of the 44 states, Democratic peoples’ republic of Korea (DRPK),
Pakistan and India did not sign.
References.
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, 2019,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comprehensive_Nuclear-Test-Ban_Treaty. Wikipedia, 6
May 2019. (Accessed on 13/05/2019).
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), 2018,
https://www.nti.org/learn/treaties-and-regimes/comprehensive-nuclear-test-ban-
treaty-ctbt/. NTI, 31 July 2018, (Accessed on 13/05/2019).
13. (5 pts) What technologies have detected evidence that North Korea
carried out a nuclear test explosion in February 2013 and January of
2016?
The four principal technologies used by CTBT to monitor nuclear weapons are:
 Forensic seismology monitoring:
Used to monitor the underground for any explosions.
 Hydroacoustic monitoring

Used to monitor the waters for any explosions.
 Infrasound monitoring
Used to monitor the atmosphere for any explosions
 Radionuclei monitoring.
(Science engineering, 2001)
References.
Wikipedia, Comprehensive Nuclear test ban treaty, May 2019,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comprehensive_Nuclear-Test-Ban_Treaty. (Accessed on
13/05/2015).
Technical Monitoring Capabilities and Challenges. Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty, (page 35), 2002, https://www.nap.edu/read/12849/chapter/5#76.
ScienceRetrieved on 13/05/2019.

14. (5 pts) Describe an evasion scenario that has been proposed, by
which a country carrying out a nuclear weapons test might
(conceptually) prevent its signals from being detected and recognized.
There are more than 60 stations by CTBT Organizations just for detecting low
frequency sound waves. Mine Masking is a scenario where the people can hide a
nuclear explosion by coincidentally concealed within a larger chemical explosion
such as the one used in mining. Yes, the waves will be detected at the stations but
the interpretation will be that the seismic waves are as a result of a mining activity
and not a nuclear test. This way, Korea could have tested a nuclear weapon
undetected.
References.
Wickman F, 2013,The boom heard all over the world, https://slate.com/news-and-
politics/2013/02/north-korea-nuclear-test-how-to-hide-a-nuclear-explosion.html, 12th
February 2013, Slate, (Accessed on 13/05/2019).
15. (5 pts) Down to what size of nuclear explosion is it deemed possible
(according to various reviews, such as those of the U.S. National
Academy of Sciences) to monitor compliance with the Comprehensive
Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty?
This are in accordance to article IV of the CTBT. The IMS is all about detection of
nuclear explosions.
(science engineering, 2001)
Any explosion below 2.50 seismic magnitude is not detected by IMS.
Technical Monitoring Capabilities and Challenges. Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty, (page 37), 2001, https://www.nap.edu/read/12849/chapter/5#76.
ScienceRetrieved on 13/05/2019.