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Division Spotlight
Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
Meeting Spotlight
International Conference on Mathematics and Computational Methods Applied to Nuclear Science and Engineering (M&C 2025)
April 27–30, 2025
Denver, CO|The Westin Denver Downtown
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Latest News
TerraPower begins U.K. regulatory approval process
Seattle-based TerraPower signaled its interest this week in building its Natrium small modular reactor in the United Kingdom, the company announced.
TerraPower sent a letter to the U.K.’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, formally establishing its intention to enter the U.K. generic design assessment (GDA) process. This is TerraPower’s first step in deployment of its Natrium technology—a 345-MW sodium fast reactor coupled with a molten salt energy storage unit—on the international stage.
M. E. Anderson, R. A. Neff
Nuclear Technology | Volume 7 | Number 1 | July 1969 | Pages 62-66
Radioisotope | doi.org/10.13182/NT69-A28386
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Neutron emission rates and neutron spectra were determined for two 238Pu power sources: SNAP 27-1, a 1482-W plutonium dioxide source for the Apollo Space Program, and HP 15-2, a 15.84-W plutonium metal source for the Artificial Heart Program. The measurements were made with a single stilbene crystal fast-neutron spectrometer and a long counter. The specific neutron yields were (2.2 ± 0.1) × 104 n/sec per gram of 238Pu for SNAP 27-1 and (3.9 ± 0.2) × 103 n/sec per gram of 238Pu for HP 15-2. Neutrons from these sources are due to spontaneous fission of 238Pu, neutron-induced fission of plutonium, and (α, n) reactions. The contributions to the two spectra due to neutrons from each of these reactions are shown. Factors for converting from neutron fluence to dose equivalent (whole body) were calculated to be (3.34 ± 0.11) × 10−5 mrem per n/cm2 for SNAP 27-1 and (3.13 ± 0.15) × 10−5 mrem per n/cm2 for HP 15-2.
