Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The government was worried a Russian nuclear satellite was about to fall on our heads 30 years ago

The Russian satellite Cosmos 1402 was set to fall from the skies in January 1983.

Soyuz_TMA-7_spacecraft2edit1 Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons

A RUSSIAN NUCLEAR satellite falling from the sky had the Irish government slightly concerned in early 1983, according to papers released by the National Archives under the 30-year rule.

The satellite in question, the Cosmos 1402 (which had only been launched the previous August), had fallen into something known as ‘orbital decay’ in January of that year. Effectively that means that, rather than drifting off into space after its mission was completed, it was set to fall to earth instead.

The problem with this was that it was powered by a (very small, but still pretty catastrophic) nuclear reactor. Oh dear.

Much government discussion ensued that month as the satellite meandered in a decreasing orbit toward its final destination.

Vital contact lists were prepared, and briefings were given by the Irish Nuclear Energy Board, who were leading the preparatory efforts.

Generally speaking, the chances of Cosmos landing on our heads were seen as being in the region of 3,000 to one.

1 National Archives file 2016 / 51/879 National Archives file 2016 / 51/879 / 51/879

To be fair, there was some precedent for the caution seen. In January 1978 one of Cosmos 1402′s forebearers, Cosmos 954, crashed out of orbit and landed in Canada (causing minimal damage). So a landfall was a possibility, if a remote one.

An added issue was that the satellite was a Soviet one – the USSR not being the most forthcoming when it came to sharing details of its technological outputs (as the Chernobyl disaster three years later would showcase). As such any information available was coming from the American side.

And the public were well aware that something was going on, as can be seen by this letter sent by a concerned Co Sligo citizen to the Department of Foreign Affairs on 18 January:

20161207_122425 National Archives file 2016 / 51/879 National Archives file 2016 / 51/879 / 51/879

Click here to view a larger image

So, contingency plans were made. They mostly consisted of describing what would be needed should the satellite actually pay Ireland a visit, given the remoteness of that possibility:

personnel National Archives file 2016 / 51/879 National Archives file 2016 / 51/879 / 51/879

As is noted in a memo issued once the danger passed: “it was clear from the outset that we do not have the technical capacity to deal with any largescale nuclear emergency in this country.”

The nuclear issue would once more raise its head in the aftermath of Chernobyl in 1986.

But this was one story that had a (relatively) happy ending – the satellite eventually crashed into the Indian Ocean and left the Emerald Isle in peace:

20161207_122535 National Archives file 2016 / 51/879 National Archives file 2016 / 51/879 / 51/879

Click here to view a larger image

Read: Government considered using ‘AIDs argument’ in David Norris gay rights case

Read: Ireland tried to ban smoking in public in 1986 – and Big Tobacco was not impressed

See National Archives file 2016/51/879

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
10 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrea Rock Massey
    Favourite Andrea Rock Massey
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 7:35 AM

    Is anybody else having trouble opening the links provided?

    310
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Wriggit
    Favourite Robert Wriggit
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 7:42 AM

    yep!

    111
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 8:08 AM

    Hi Andrea – are you trying them on desktop, iOS or Android?

    11
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mairead Hynes
    Favourite Mairead Hynes
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 8:10 AM

    I’m on Android (lollipop), no links for me #sadface

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 8:11 AM

    Thanks Mairead – we’re looking into this right way, as it works on iOS and desktop.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie O'Connell
    Favourite Jamie O'Connell
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 8:12 AM

    For me, it’s the Android Journal app.

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 8:15 AM

    Hi Jamie – thanks for the info, our tech team are looking into it. In the meantime, I know it’ s not ideal but if you do have access to the desktop site, (should work on your phone’s internet browser too outside of the app I think) then you can try there?

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 9:00 AM

    Hi Andrea, it should be working now if you want to give it a try?

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jennifer Reynolds
    Favourite Jennifer Reynolds
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 8:03 AM

    Nope, links won’t work. But I don’t actually care all that much because I got my first choice!! Helloooo primary school teaching in St Pats

    246
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Margaret Daly
    Favourite Margaret Daly
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 8:05 AM

    well done!

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jennifer Reynolds
    Favourite Jennifer Reynolds
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 8:10 AM

    Thank you!

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute E F Fanning
    Favourite E F Fanning
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 7:43 AM

    No links will open for me.

    85
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 9:00 AM

    Hi there – it should be working on Android now, let me know if you have any more problems.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute E F Fanning
    Favourite E F Fanning
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 10:03 AM

    Working now, thanks.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sinéad Cronin
    Favourite Sinéad Cronin
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 7:58 AM

    I went to another site to check points. Links not working all morning, not a morning anyone needs to be waiting for a never loading link!

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Hurley
    Favourite Eoin Hurley
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 9:38 AM

    Just accepted my place at UCC in Pharmacy absolutely delighted!

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rob Morgan
    Favourite Rob Morgan
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 9:51 AM

    Absolutely gutted , missed law and german by twenty points . Got 525 and the course moved up to 545 from 515. I got offered biopharmaceutical chemistry in galway which I’d strongly dislike to do as I know it’s not for me. Go to college to do a course I don’t want and move across the country or take a year out? Tough decision.

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JoJo
    Favourite JoJo
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 10:09 AM

    Year out and work and save some money, life is too short to waste it studying something that doesn’t interest you.

    82
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AN other
    Favourite AN other
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 11:11 AM

    Did you not apply for a similar level 6/7 course? I’d take that if I were you and then see about a transfer to the lv8 course

    I know somebody who couldn’t do his engineering course in UCC because despite having 500+ points he failed French…

    Now he has a masters in engineering from UCC as well as a degree, a diploma and a certificate from CIT.

    Imagine graduating 4 times lol

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dr.Dylan Tierney
    Favourite Dr.Dylan Tierney
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 8:33 AM

    Course points have risen exponentially across the board. Let’s hope round 2 is more forgiving

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute twit
    Favourite twit
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 8:11 AM

    To confirm… Not opening on Android OS

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 9:01 AM

    Hi there, it should be working now.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fox Trot
    Favourite Fox Trot
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 8:10 AM

    android

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Miller
    Favourite Mark Miller
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 8:10 AM

    Won’t open on android

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 9:00 AM

    Hi Mark, it should be working on Android now.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tammy Ní Laoire
    Favourite Tammy Ní Laoire
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 8:34 AM

    Still won’t open on Android!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 9:00 AM

    Hi Tammy, should be working now!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maura Tansey
    Favourite Maura Tansey
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 3:20 PM

    Taught a fetac level 5 would guarantee a place in nursing???? got 10 destinations. . trying to get through on phones”(

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry L'Oiseau
    Favourite Larry L'Oiseau
    Report
    Aug 17th 2015, 7:33 PM

    Please tell me that was an autocorrect error Maura ?

    13
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds