Nuclear Powered Aircraft Projects

[Stargazer2006]

I had noticed it and came to the same conclusion "Atomic Service" !

[Matej]

I have found an interesting project on the web and I really would like to know from which company the design originated.

It is not necessary that it should be a company. Probably some sort of generic study, done by USAF or another governmental owned institution. I saw this concept for the first time in JC Carbonel web. For the link, see the reply no.20 in this topic.

[joncarrfarrelly]

I have found an interesting project on the web and I really would like to know from which company the design originated. Here is the accompanying text:

Popular Mechanics, I have the issue with the article.
Concept of Lee Ohlinger of Northrop.
Here it is on Google Books:
http://books.google.com/books?id=PeEDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false
Go to page 100.

[Stargazer2006]

Excellent! Thank you for such a speedy response!
It's quite an original design, but the article doesn't say if it's Ohlinger's work as an aside or if it's a Northrop endorsed project... Anyway, from the link you provided I was able to capture three enlarged images of the selfsame project. Thanks again!

[hesham]

Hi,

a nuclear airliner;
http://www.ninfinger.org/models/vault/Nuclear_Airliner.jpg

[Stargazer2006]

Interestingly, the nuclear airliner was called "Aurora"... as seen on its tail. I know it was also the name of the kit model company, but still...

[Matej]

And the logo of that company is directly on the left bottom corner :-)

[robunos]

I had that kit, too, but after it had transmogrified into the
'Ragnarok Orbital Interceptor'....

cheers,
         Robin.

[martinbayer]

Even though the name company name Aurora appears on the illustration as well as the decal sheet, the speculative design itself was officially called the Impetus (also included in the decals):

http://www.ninfinger.org/models/vault/ImpetusInstuctions.jpg

http://modelarchives.free.fr/archives_P/Aplane/Aplane_Impetus_K.html

http://www.diecastaircraftforum.com/other-scales-antique-models/37441-aurora-vintage-nuclear-airliner.html

http://www.professorplastik.com/monster_site/proscenium/kits/xtrakits/othernonmonsteraurorakits/scifikits/ragnarok/ragnarokkit.htm

Martin

[Triton]

Model of Lockheed-Georgia nuclear-powered tug aircraft concept towing two Lockheed C-5 Galaxy military transports circa 1980.

The nuclear-tug design shown here has a gross weight of 2 million pounds; 40 percent would be the reactor. The plane would be a seaplane, and would fly only over water. If it were to fly over land, the design would have to include protection for the reactor in the event of a crash, entailing a heavy weight penalty. The nuclear-powered plane assumes advanced nuclear technology.

Without a payload, the nuclear reactor could supply enough power for takeoff and landing.

Source: "New-Technology Monster Transports Will Dwarf Today's Jumbo Jets" by Ben Kovicar, Popular Science, October 1980.

[royabulgaf]

a nuclear airliner;

I understand for frequent flyers they would give you wigs instead of free miles.

[Justo Miranda]

From "Mecanica popular" mayo 1954