1. Materials re: Nuclear Space Power Systems and Other Nuclear Reactor Designs. 1958-1990, undated.
The materials in this series include documentation of several projects initiated by Atomics International, the intent of which
was to create nuclear power systems for use in outer space and at the ocean floor. A number of photographs and artists concepts,
as well as scientific offprints and internal reports, illuminate the nature of each project, some of which were terminated
before prototypes could be built. The series also includes documents related to other nuclear reactor design projects, as
well as a handful of artifacts contemporary to Leonard Maki's work as a nuclear engineer.
4 boxes
Boxes 1 - 4 (Page: 1 - 4)
1.
Notes, Typescripts and Publications re: Nuclear Space Power. 1961-1969, 1972, 1990.
1.1.
Notes: "SNAP 8 Development Plan," September 18, 1961.
1.2.
Publication: New Career Horizons with Atomics International. Briefing book published ca. 1961.
1.3.
Organizational Chart and Telephone Directory: Atomics International staff, 1963.
1.4.
Offprint: "Operating Capabilities and Growth Potential of the SNAP 8 Reactor," by Leonard Maki and H. R. Brager. Prepared
for presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Nuclear Society, June 24, 1965.
1.5.
Offprint: "Adaptation of Nuclear Space Power Plants to Marine Applications," by R. A. Johnson and Leonard Maki. Prepared for
presentation at the Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, August 13, 1967.
1.6.
Publication: Nuclear Space Power Systems, by H. M. Dieckamp. Canoga Park, California: Atomics International, 1967.
1.7.
Offprint: "Aerospace Nuclear Safety," report by Robert L. Detterman prepared for Atomics International, January 30, 1968.
1.8.
Publication: Reactor Space Power Systems, by D. J. Gylfe. Briefing book published by Atomics International, 1968.
1.9.
Offprint: "The Reference ZrH Reactor," by Leonard Maki and E. J. Donovan. Prepared for presentation at the Annual Meeting
of the American Nuclear Society, June 18, 1969.
1.10.
Chart: "Space Electric Program Costs," prepared by Atomics International, October 1972.
1.11.
Publication: Space Exploration Initiative, Rockwell International, 1990.
1.12.
Typescript: "The Glory Days of the US Reactor Space Power Program, 1956 to 1973." Seminar notes prepared by Leonard Maki,
ca. 1990s.
1.13.
Typescript: "SNAP Development Challenges." Seminar notes prepared by Leonard Maki, ca. 1990s.
2.
Photographs, Artists' Concepts, and Briefing Charts for Nuclear Space Power Systems. 1962-1970, undated.
2.1.
Photographs and Artists' Concepts: The SNAP-10A Reactor Space Power System, 1962, 1964-1965.
10 images
Images include an artist's concept of the SNAP-10A System, photographs of the SNAP-10A radiator structure and system mock-up,
documentation of the testing, transport and launch of the system, and an artist's concept of the SNAP-10A in orbit.
2.2.
Photograph, Artist's Concept and Comic Strip: Underwater Applications of Space Nuclear Power Plants, 1963-1964.
3 images
Conceptual design studies were performed to evaluate the feasibility of using nuclear space power plants for underwater applications.
These studies concluded that design changes would be required, but the resulting configurations could be quite attractive
for a variety of missions. Images include an artist's concept of an HMBR Reactor, a photograph of a SNAP-8 reactor mockup
undergoing shock and vibration testing, and a "Buzz Sawyer" comic strip that incorporates an exact copy of the SNAP-8 reactor
in its three-panel narrative of the installation of a nuclear power plant at an underwater laboratory.
2.3.
Photographs and Artists' Concepts: The SNAP-8 Developmental Reactor, 1963, undated.
6 images
The SNAP-8 was a complete prototype reactor system that was operated in a large underground vacuum chamber to simulate space
operation. Images include photographs and artistic depictions of the apparatus, including its ground test assembly and fuel
loading.
2.4.
Photographs and Artists' Concepts: The SNAP-2 Reactor Space Power System, 1964-1965.
6 images
The SNAP-2 was an upgraded version of the SNAP-10A designed to operate a small mercury Rankine power plant. Images include
photographs of the SNAP-2 reactor and control components, the assembled reactor and control system, a schematic diagram of
the developmental reactor test, and an artistic depiction of the mercury Rankine power plant.
2.5.
Photograph and Artist's Concept: An Advanced Zirconium Hydride Reactor, ca. late 1960s.
2 images
The Advanced ZrH Reactor was a higher powered, longer lived space power reactor on which work was initiated in the late 1960s.
The program was terminated before an actual reactor was built. Images include a photograph of Leonard Maki posing with a
model of the Advanced ZrH Reactor as well as an artist's conception of the reference design for the reactor.
2.6.
Artists' Concepts: Nuclear Reactor Space Power Missions, ca. 1960s.
16 images
The SNAP reactor space power plants were proposed for a wide range of missions. This folder includes artists conceptions
of several of these proposed missions including the powering of large orbiting space stations and lunar modules, communications
satellites, laser beam weapons, underwater structures and mobile units for military use.
2.7.
Photographs, Artist's Conception: Assorted SNAP images, 1962, 1967, undated.
4 images
Images include photographs of a compact lead-telluride thermoelectric generator designed for space reactor applications, an
irradiation test assembly, the induction heating of a SNAP-8 fuel element and an artist's conception of a nuclear-powered
satellite.
2.8.
Briefing Charts: "Atomics International Nuclear Space Power," and "Snap Reactor Test Experience," 1970.
These photograph reproductions of the original briefing charts summarize the nuclear space power experience of the Atomics
International Division of North American Aviation.
3.
Materials re: Assorted Nuclear Reactor Designs. 1958-1963, 1974, 1977, 1988-1990.
3.1.
Offprint: "Fluidized Bed Reactor Concept for a Gas Turbine Power Plant," by Henry Lurie and Leonard Maki. Submitted to A.
T. Biehl, Division of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley. May 27, 1958.
3.2.
Publication: Proceedings of the ANPP Reactor Analysis Seminar, J. F. O'Brien, ed. October 11-12, 1960.
3.3.
Publication: Hallam Nuclear Power Facility, Atomics International, ca. 1963.
3.4.
Data Set: "5 Kwe Reactor Test Program," Atomics International [?], ca. 1974.
Data set includes descriptions of various tests conducted as part of the program, including the conditions, purpose and expected
results specific to a given test.
3.5.
Offprint: "Design of the FFTF Fuel Storage Facility (FSF)," by J. G. Asquith and Leonard Maki, ca. 1977.
3.6.
Offprint: "Reference Advanced Liquid Metal Reactor (LMR) Program - Executive Summary", proposal by Rockwell International
issued to the United States Department of Energy, April 4, 1988.
3.7.
Offprint: "The Sodium Advanced Fast Reactor," by R. D. Oldenkamp, E. Guenther and S. Golan, ca. 1989.
3.8.
Offprint: "Update - Sodium Advanced Fast Reactor (SAFR) Concept," by R. D. Oldenkamp, E. Guenther, J. E. Brunings and R. Hren,
ca. 1990.
4.
Artifacts. undated.
4.1.
AECL Technologies Paper Weight. undated.
4.2.
Reactor Materials: Graphite, Zirconium Hydride rod and Beryllium bolts. undated.
4.3.
Slide Rule and Trigonometrical Chart. undated.