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2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Front-end nuclear fuel supply cooperation: Turning allied interdependence into strategic advantage
The global nuclear revival, which is fueled by unprecedented demand for firm, affordable, dispatchable power for artificial intelligence and data center build-out, energy security imperatives, and climate commitments, has exposed a structural reality of the Western fuel cycle: No single allied nation currently possesses the full suite of front-end capabilities. From mining through conversion, enrichment, fabrication, and the emerging deconversion and metallization steps required for reactor fuels, capability is distributed across Canada, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States (collectively, the “Sapporo Five”), as well as a small group of close partners.
John J. Newgard, Myron M. Levoy
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 7 | Number 4 | April 1960 | Pages 377-386
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE60-A25732
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The over-all design of a prototype nuclear rocket is described. For practical systems using uranium-loaded graphite for fuel elements within a graphitic core structure, and hydrogen as core coolant and propellant, it is possible to achieve specific impulses of at least 800 sec. The design of the reactor core, reflector, and nuclear controls are presented for a prototype design. The nuclear, heat transfer, and fluid flow considerations for a typical design are discussed. Reactor perturbations caused by fuel element ejection, corrosion-erosion, and hydrogen density changes are discussed. Some radiation hazards are considered. Nonreactor aspects of the rocket such as hydrogen handling and the coupling of the reactor to the rocket system are indicated.