NASA's Nuclear Frontier: The Plum Brook Reactor Facility - Research into Nuclear Propulsion for Rockets and Aircraft

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Technology, Aeronautics & Astronautics, Science, Physics, Astrophysics & Space Science
Cover of the book NASA's Nuclear Frontier: The Plum Brook Reactor Facility - Research into Nuclear Propulsion for Rockets and Aircraft by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781310397004
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: September 5, 2014
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781310397004
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: September 5, 2014
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

This official NASA history document - converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction - provides a fascinating history of NASA's nuclear research on propulsion at the Plum Brook reactor facility in Sandusky, Ohio. This book is a visual history of the Plum Brook reactor, including numerous images and captions, a narrative history, and selected primary documents. It begins with the acquisition of the Plum Brook farmland by the government at the start of World War II and discusses its use as a significant ordnance works for the war effort. At the same time, scientists worldwide were making tremendous progress on a roughly fifty-year investigation of the mysterious world inside the atom and the enormous reserve of power it appeared to contain. This work culminated in the atomic bomb. After the war, as Plum Brook's ordnance factories went silent, scientists continued their pursuit of nuclear knowledge by constructing test reactors. One specific aim for this research in the 1950s was to build a nuclear-powered airplane. To support this effort, in 1956 NASA's predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), began to design and build a massive test reactor at Plum Brook. By the time the reactor was completed in 1961, President Kennedy had suspended the nuclear aircraft program for safety and technical reasons. However, in its place he advocated an even bolder plan—a nuclear rocket. The Plum Brook Reactor Facility became one of the primary research facilities to test materials for this rocket. Working with contractors from Lockheed, Westinghouse, General Dynamics, and General Electric, scientists and engineers conducted ground breaking nuclear experiments.

Despite the promise of their work, many of the experiments were never concluded. In 1973, just over a decade after Kennedy first extolled the nuclear rocket's importance, the project shared the fate of the nuclear airplane. In the post-Apollo era, NASA terminated costly, long-term, nonreusable projects like the nuclear rocket in favor of programs that appeared to have greater immediate payoff like the Space Shuttle. Two weeks after Apollo's last mission, Plum Brook was ordered to shut down its reactor. The entire facility was maintained in a standby mode (under a "possess but do not operate" license) for nearly a quarter century. In 1998, a decommissioning plan was formulated to demolish the reactor piece by piece, until nothing would be left but bare land, suitable once again for farming. Despite now being closed for over thirty years, it remains the eighth-largest test reactor that the United States has ever built.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This official NASA history document - converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction - provides a fascinating history of NASA's nuclear research on propulsion at the Plum Brook reactor facility in Sandusky, Ohio. This book is a visual history of the Plum Brook reactor, including numerous images and captions, a narrative history, and selected primary documents. It begins with the acquisition of the Plum Brook farmland by the government at the start of World War II and discusses its use as a significant ordnance works for the war effort. At the same time, scientists worldwide were making tremendous progress on a roughly fifty-year investigation of the mysterious world inside the atom and the enormous reserve of power it appeared to contain. This work culminated in the atomic bomb. After the war, as Plum Brook's ordnance factories went silent, scientists continued their pursuit of nuclear knowledge by constructing test reactors. One specific aim for this research in the 1950s was to build a nuclear-powered airplane. To support this effort, in 1956 NASA's predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), began to design and build a massive test reactor at Plum Brook. By the time the reactor was completed in 1961, President Kennedy had suspended the nuclear aircraft program for safety and technical reasons. However, in its place he advocated an even bolder plan—a nuclear rocket. The Plum Brook Reactor Facility became one of the primary research facilities to test materials for this rocket. Working with contractors from Lockheed, Westinghouse, General Dynamics, and General Electric, scientists and engineers conducted ground breaking nuclear experiments.

Despite the promise of their work, many of the experiments were never concluded. In 1973, just over a decade after Kennedy first extolled the nuclear rocket's importance, the project shared the fate of the nuclear airplane. In the post-Apollo era, NASA terminated costly, long-term, nonreusable projects like the nuclear rocket in favor of programs that appeared to have greater immediate payoff like the Space Shuttle. Two weeks after Apollo's last mission, Plum Brook was ordered to shut down its reactor. The entire facility was maintained in a standby mode (under a "possess but do not operate" license) for nearly a quarter century. In 1998, a decommissioning plan was formulated to demolish the reactor piece by piece, until nothing would be left but bare land, suitable once again for farming. Despite now being closed for over thirty years, it remains the eighth-largest test reactor that the United States has ever built.

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book 21st Century Chinese Military Issues: People's Republic of China's Nuclear Force Modernization - Command and Control, Undersea Nuclear Forces, BMD Countermeasures, Chinese Space Program by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Development of the Russian Far East (RFE): Challenges Facing Russia's Pivot to Asia - Free Land Relocation Initiative, Harsh Climate and History, Out-Migration and the Trans-Siberian Railroad by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Strategic Air Warfare: An Interview with Generals Curtis E. LeMay, Leon W. Johnson, David A. Burchinal, and Jack J. Catton - World War II, Strategic Air Command SAC, Korean War, Southeast Asia by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Culture, Identity and Information Technology in the 21st Century: Implications for U.S. National Security, the Future of English in Language Usage, Demographic Shifts by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century FEMA Study Course: Improving Preparedness and Resilience through Public-Private Partnerships (IS-662) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Roots and Evolution of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) - Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraq and Afghanistan, 9/11, China, Southeast Asia, Sea Power, ANZUS, ANZAM, SEATO by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Operational Culture for the Warfighter: Principles and Applications - Physical Environment, Economy, Social Structure, Political Structure, Iraq, Islam, Clausewitz, Wargaming by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) Dirty Bomb Medical Preparedness and Response: Guidance for First Responders and Health Care Workers - Radioactive Illnesses, Radiation Injuries, Decontamination by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Documents: Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle Dual-Role Fighter Aircraft - Operations Procedures, Aircrew Evaluation Criteria, Aircrew Training Flying Operations by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Marines in the Korean War Commemorative Series: Corsairs to Panthers - U.S. Marine Aviation in Korea - Tigercat, F4, Night-Fighter Squadrons, 1st Marine Aircraft, Bell and Sikorsky Helicopters by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Shortchanging the Joint Fight? An Airman's Assessment of FM 3-24 and the Case for Developing Truly Joint COIN Doctrine: Counterinsurgency, Airpower Myths, Army and Marine Tactical Doctrine, Iraq War by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Building Corbett's Navy: The Principles of Maritime Strategy and the Functions of the Navy in Naval Policy, Sir Julian Corbett, Admiral Mahan, Stansfield Turner, Leverage of Sea Power, Navy Functions by Progressive Management
Cover of the book FBI Report: Serial Murder, Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives for Investigators - From Jack the Ripper to the Beltway Sniper, Psychopathy, Motivations, Forensic Issues, Causality and Types by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Intelligence Operations MCWP 2-1 (Value-Added Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century FEMA Study Course: Introduction to Debris Operations (IS-632.a) Public Assistance Grants, Debris Management Plans, Sites, Estimating Procedures, Recycling, Environmental Considerations by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy