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Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
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2024 ANS Annual Conference
June 16–19, 2024
Las Vegas, NV|Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Proving DRACO will deliver
The United States is now closer than it has been in over five decades to launching the first nuclear thermal rocket into space, thanks to DRACO—the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Orbit.
Enrique A. Biurrun
Nuclear Technology | Volume 121 | Number 2 | February 1998 | Pages 168-173
Technical Paper | German Direct Disposal Project | doi.org/10.13182/NT98-A2829
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
After closure of a repository, spent-fuel retrieval in a salt dome can be accomplished by either direct access by sinking boreholes or shafts directly into disposal areas or by indirect access by entering former disposal fields via a new retrieval mine. With state-of-the-art technology, salt mining can be carried out up to a rock temperature of 100°C. Calculations performed for a repository design suitable for the Gorleben salt dome show that 100 yr after disposal, large repository zones will be cooled down below 100°C. Thus, a significant part of the spent fuel in such a repository could be retrieved. A detailed study suggests that retrieval would be possible at any time after repository closure with presently available technology.Because of the massive effort and considerable time required for retrieval - which can be reliably discovered by surface monitoring, e.g., by remote satellite sensing - the diversion of fissile materials by secret retrieval is not a concern and is excluded.