ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Operations & Power
Members focus on the dissemination of knowledge and information in the area of power reactors with particular application to the production of electric power and process heat. The division sponsors meetings on the coverage of applied nuclear science and engineering as related to power plants, non-power reactors, and other nuclear facilities. It encourages and assists with the dissemination of knowledge pertinent to the safe and efficient operation of nuclear facilities through professional staff development, information exchange, and supporting the generation of viable solutions to current issues.
Meeting Spotlight
Conference on Nuclear Training and Education: A Biennial International Forum (CONTE 2025)
February 3–6, 2025
Amelia Island, FL|Omni Amelia Island Resort
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Dec 2024
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
January 2025
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Christmas Night
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the houseNo electrons were flowing through even my mouse.
All devices were plugged in by the chimney with careWith the hope that St. Nikola Tesla would share.
Yale Chang
Nuclear Technology | Volume 207 | Number 6 | June 2021 | Pages 844-850
Technical Note | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2020.1855946
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
National Security Presidential Memorandum-20 (NSPM-20) (Launch of Spacecraft Containing Space Nuclear Systems) provides updated guidelines for launch authorization for three categories of proposed launches of spacecraft with space nuclear systems: Federal government civil space including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Federal government defense and intelligence, and commercial. These space nuclear systems provide power, heat, and/or propulsion to the spacecraft. NSPM-20 requires a rigorous, risk-informed safety analysis and launch authorization process. The launch approval process of previous NASA missions each took several years and cost multimillion dollars. NSPM-20 provides guidelines to potentially streamline the process and improve cost and schedule. This technical note examines three NSPM-20 guidelines on a future example interplanetary mission (EIM) as to their potential implementation feasibility for three accident categories: Earth gravity assist reentry, solid propellant fires, and flight termination system design. It is found that the safety technology for these accidents were constantly improved over the last several missions, but in some cases may not be adequate for direct use in the EIM’s launch authorization process.