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| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
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SNAP (Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power)
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| SNAP 8DR reactor assembly. This picture demonstrates how small these reactors were. A steel tube containing fuel is being inserted into the core vessel
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History of SNAP from U.S. Department of Energy
The objective of the government-sponsored System for Nuclear Auxiliary Power (SNAP) program was to develop compact, lightweight reliable atomic electric devices for use in space, sea ,and land use. Atomics International served as the prime contractor to the government for several important facets of the SNAP program.
United States spent considerable effort in the late 1950s to 1960s developing the SNAP system. Only the SNAP-10 unit was fitted with a thermoelectric conversion system which produced electricity from the heat generated by the on-board nuclear reactor.
The objective of the SNAP-10A reactor was to produce a minimum of 500 W of electricity for a one-year duration or longer. The SNAP system weighed in at less than 950 lb, including instruments and shielding.
The SNAP reactor was designed to be remotely started and operated in space. In this manner, any hazardous radiation associated with the nuclear fission reaction is not produced until after the reactor safely reaches orbit. The hazards to ground personnel are minimized and since radioactive fission products are not present before the reactor is operated, less of a hazard exists during launch if an accidental reentry should occur.
SNAP reactors used enriched uranium fuel with zirconuim hydride as a moderator and liquid sodium potassium alloy as the coolant. The fuel elements were arranged in a geometric lattice called the core assembly. A thermoelectric pump was placed above to circulate the coolant throughout the system. Beryllium reflectors placed on ejection springs and held in place by a reflector retainer band were placed around the core. Following successful launch and a radio signal from earth, the reflectors rotated into place and the fission reaction started.
The heat from the reactor was converted directly into electricity by a thermoelectric converter. It was the first complete reactor electrical power system of this type to have progressed through the design, development and flight test stages. The thermoelectric converters are located on the cone-shaped body below the reactor. Heat from the reactor was carried by the liquid metal coolant and piped to heat the underside of the thermoelectric elements. The heat then escaped into space via the cone-shaped radiator.
On April 3, 1965, the SNAP10A was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base and placed into a 500 nautical mile orbit around Earth.
Related category
• SATELLITES AND SPACE PROBES
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