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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.
Meeting Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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Take steps on SNF and HLW disposal
Matt Bowen
With a new administration and Congress, it is time once again to ponder what will happen—if anything—on U.S. spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste management policy over the next few years. One element of the forthcoming discussion seems clear: The executive and legislative branches are eager to talk about recycling commercial SNF. Whatever the merits of doing so, it does not obviate the need for one or more facilities for disposal of remaining long-lived radionuclides. For that reason, making progress on U.S. disposal capabilities remains urgent, lest the associated radionuclide inventories simply be left for future generations to deal with.
In March, Rick Perry, who was secretary of energy during President Trump’s first administration, observed that during his tenure at the Department of Energy it became clear to him that any plan to move SNF “required some practical consent of the receiving state and local community.”1
John W. Landis was a charter member of the American Nuclear Society (ANS), joining in 1955. In 1971, he was elected as the 17th president of ANS. He was a Fellow of ANS. In 1996, he was named an “international nuclear statesman” when he received the American Nuclear Society’s Henry DeWolf Smyth Award.
Dr. Landis was born on October 10, 1917. In 1950, Landis joined the Atomic Energy Commission and helped design nuclear power plants. In 1953, he began working for the Atomic Energy Division of the Babcock & Wilcox Co., and became head of its center for nuclear research. He contributed to the design of the Indian Point, N.Y., nuclear power station. In 1968, he began working with Gulf General Atomic Co. of San Diego, and in 1971 became the president.
From 1975 until he retired in 1993, Landis was a senior vice president and director of Stone & Webster Engineering Corp. in Boston. He was also president of Stone & Webster International.
Landis worked for many years in voluntary standards development for the energy industry. He served the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in a number of capacities and was chair of its Board from 1975 to 1977. During his career, he also served as chair of the Public Safety Standards Group and as a member of the National Academy of Engineering. He was a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He has also served on 27 government advisory committees.
The recipient of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Exceptional Public Service Award, and of numerous other accolades, John W. Landis was awarded ANSI’s Howard Coonley Medal in 1991 in recognition of his service to the nation as the driving force behind the development of consensus standards for the application and regulation of nuclear power. Landis was deeply committed to the peaceful uses of the atom.
The Landis Challenge, a fundraising campaign he sponsored, helped ANS propel its public education program to a new level. He was always committed to increasing the public’s understanding of nuclear science and technology. Later, although he may not have known then, his work on the Special Committee for Development helped to lay the foundation for ANS’ Center for Nuclear Science and Technology Information.
Landis graduated summa cum laude in 1939 from Lafayette. After serving in the Navy, he studied physics at Princeton University at the graduate level, but did not complete a degree.
Dr. John W. Landis passed away on March 16, 2013.
Read Nuclear News from July 1971 for more on John Landis.
