Comments on: Atomic Planes http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/31/atomic-planes/ Yesterday's tomorrow, today. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:32:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Julie http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/31/atomic-planes/#comment-1056332 Julie Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:03:35 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4520#comment-1056332 The modified jet engines, Heat Transfer Reactor Experiments (HTREs), are on display in the EBR I parking lot in the high desert of southeastern Idaho. Last fall, the lead shielded locomotive (top speed 4mph) that hauled the engines from test facility to hot shop was transported 35 miles south from the 1950s Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion (ANP). Parts of the ANP project were located in 10 states across the nation and the Idaho display, located between Idaho Falls and Sun Valley is well worth seeing. The modified jet engines, Heat Transfer Reactor Experiments (HTREs), are on display in the EBR I parking lot in the high desert of southeastern Idaho. Last fall, the lead shielded locomotive (top speed 4mph) that hauled the engines from test facility to hot shop was transported 35 miles south from the 1950s Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion (ANP). Parts of the ANP project were located in 10 states across the nation and the Idaho display, located between Idaho Falls and Sun Valley is well worth seeing.

]]> By: JMyint http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/31/atomic-planes/#comment-1056279 JMyint Mon, 02 Jun 2008 02:29:11 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4520#comment-1056279 Project Pluto was a Dooms Day weapon pure and simple. Project Orion was planned around small nuclear warheads. There was also the NERVA (Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application) which was suppose to be the engine for the third stage of the proposed Saturn V replacements. In 1972 a NERVA engine went through 203 cycles for a total of 21 hours of operating time. This was the end of 13 years of testing and proved the technology would work as expected. Project Pluto was a Dooms Day weapon pure and simple. Project Orion was planned around small nuclear warheads.

There was also the NERVA (Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application) which was suppose to be the engine for the third stage of the proposed Saturn V replacements. In 1972 a NERVA engine went through 203 cycles for a total of 21 hours of operating time. This was the end of 13 years of testing and proved the technology would work as expected.

]]> By: jayessell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/31/atomic-planes/#comment-1056274 jayessell Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:33:19 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4520#comment-1056274 Wiki PROJECT PLUTO An atomic ramjet engine meant for a supersonic cruise missile. Not applicable for manned aircraft. (Or inhabited planets) Wiki PROJECT PLUTO
An atomic ramjet engine meant for a
supersonic cruise missile.

Not applicable for manned aircraft.
(Or inhabited planets)

]]> By: Charlie http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/31/atomic-planes/#comment-1056258 Charlie Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:10:46 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4520#comment-1056258 Steve: I thought Project Orion used nuclear bombs, not a reactor. Steve: I thought Project Orion used nuclear bombs, not a reactor.

]]> By: Steve http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/31/atomic-planes/#comment-1056247 Steve Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:20:20 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4520#comment-1056247 Also, there was almost an atomic powered, manned rocket. Check out the book "Project Orion" by George Dyson. Its fascinating. Also, there was almost an atomic powered, manned rocket. Check out the book “Project Orion” by George Dyson. Its fascinating.

]]> By: Marc B. http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/31/atomic-planes/#comment-1056234 Marc B. Sun, 01 Jun 2008 07:55:47 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4520#comment-1056234 Well, the miniaturization of the cooling systems didn't work out, and the development was halted in 1961 by Kennedy. Two prototypes are on public display, but unfortunately in the middle of nowhere: At the Experimental Breeding Reactor-I, at the Idaho National Laboratories near Arco, Idaho. If one gets there for whatever reason, it's worth visiting. The EBR-I was the first nuclear reactor ever to produce electricity (in December 1951) and the first reactor where actual "breeding" of nuclear fuel was achieved. It's a National Historic Landmark and (stripped of all radioactive parts) open to the public. The prototypes of the nuclear airplane engines are standing on the parking lot of EBR-I. Well, the miniaturization of the cooling systems didn’t work out, and the development was halted in 1961 by Kennedy. Two prototypes are on public display, but unfortunately in the middle of nowhere: At the Experimental Breeding Reactor-I, at the Idaho National Laboratories near Arco, Idaho. If one gets there for whatever reason, it’s worth visiting. The EBR-I was the first nuclear reactor ever to produce electricity (in December 1951) and the first reactor where actual “breeding” of nuclear fuel was achieved. It’s a National Historic Landmark and (stripped of all radioactive parts) open to the public. The prototypes of the nuclear airplane engines are standing on the parking lot of EBR-I.

]]> By: Toronto http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/31/atomic-planes/#comment-1056226 Toronto Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:06:57 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4520#comment-1056226 "The buckaroos of science"? Why can't I get a job title like that? “The buckaroos of science”?

Why can’t I get a job title like that?

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