SNAP (Systems for Nuclear, Auxiliary Power)

[edwest4]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-Wire-Photo-Nasa-Nuclear-Power-System-Space-Vandenberg-Air-Base-Ca-8X10/163531342290?hash=item26133a41d2:g:A6QAAOSwyeNcVdv9:sc:USPSFirstClass!48185!US!-1

 

[antigravite]

Re: Nuclear reactor in space 1965

Hi…

This is not an unbuilt project.

For the record, SNAP-10A was also called SNAPSHOT.

SNAP-10A, was a small experimental nuclear fission reactor actually flown into space on april, 3rd 1965, launched on a polar orbit by an ATLAS Agena D rocket, from Vandenberg AFB.

This reactor worked 43 days, then failed; it was subsequently parked on a higher orbit. "In November1979, the vehicle began shedding, eventually losing 50 pieces of traceable debris." As of today, traceable debris are numbered above 60. (wiki)

Maybe the topic description could be changed to its regular program name: SNAP (Systems for Nuclear, Auxiliary Power).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SNAP-10A

A.


done, thanks for the clue !

 

[Grey Havoc]

The SNAPTRAN experiments:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT7gAotuM-8

 

[Grey Havoc]

https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1197_web.pdf
Citation, in case the direct link changes: https://www.osti.gov/biblio/4301321

 

[Grey Havoc]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oS-BmoSBtQ

 

[CraigD]

While on a short, local vacation I came across this headstone in a cemetery in Washington state. This man lived to be 99 years old and he or his family chose this to appear on the back of his headstone. The program must have been a highlight of his career as an aerospace engineer.