우주용 원자로 규제 방향에 대한 검토

This study conducted a comprehensive review of Korea’s space development plans and carried out a comparative analysis of space development and the use of space reactors in advanced countries such as the United States. Based on this, it also reviewed country-specific cases in terms of safety regulation, safeguard and physical protection, in order to derive an appropriate regulatory framework for space reactors. Operating nuclear reactors in the space environment involves unique risk factors that differ from those on Earth, including: (1) extreme temperature variations, (2) microgravity and vacuum conditions, and (3) exposure to cosmic radiation and solar particle events. Accordingly, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive and specialized system for space reactor operation that fully reflects these characteristics. The regulatory framework for the safe operation of space reactors should ensure that the reactor remains in a subcritical (inactive) state while on the ground, and that its startup is confirmed to occur only once it is in space. In addition, it requires shielding design and orbit planning that take into account potential launch accidents or unintended re-entry and impact on Earth, and management in accordance with international legal instruments such as the Outer Space Treaty. In particular, because space reactors will at minimum need to use HALEU as fuel, robust safeguards are required to prevent the illegal use of this sensitive nuclear material. With technical tools such as remote operation systems and tamper-safe designs, there is a need to establish institutional measures, including export controls on sensitive technologies and materials and the implementation of an international safeguards system. Furthermore, it is essential to develop regulatory standards that comply with international norms, including the Outer Space Treaty, the Moon Agreement, and the IAEA’s safety and security standards. Active participation in the process of formulating international regulatory standards, in cooperation with organizations such as the IAEA, OECD/NEA, and ISO/TC20/SC14, is also required. Therefore, the urgency of the development of space reactor technologies in close connection with Korea’s broader space development plans requires the establishment of a regulatory framework such as creating a pre-licensing review system and reorganizing technical standards to support such development.