Atoms in the Ice
December 5 marks the anniversary of the launch of the first nuclear powered icebreaker, the Lenin, in what at that time was the Soviet Union. The job that icebreakers perform is among the very most demanding that any type of seagoing vessel endures due to the environment, the remoteness, and the tremendous stresses on the ship itself. As it turns out, it's a perfect application for nuclear energy. Let's take a look at this historic ship, its design and the operation of icebreakers with a variety of photos from my library.