Atomics International

Atomics International was an American nuclear research and development organization created within North American Aviation in 1948. It began as the company’s Atomic Energy Research Department and was established to pursue the rapidly expanding postwar interest in nuclear science, reactor technology, and government-sponsored atomic-energy applications. The organization worked from facilities in Downey and the western San Fernando Valley of California, eventually concentrating much of its reactor testing and support work at Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. The organization’s early work included small aqueous homogeneous reactors used for research, training, neutron production, and isotope-related applications. In 1952, one of its low-power reactors became the first nuclear reactor to operate in California. In the mid-1950s, the department was renamed Atomics International and pursued two complementary technology paths. The first was commercial and experimental power generation using sodium-cooled and organic-moderated reactors. The second was the development of compact nuclear power sources for remote and space applications under the U.S. government’s Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power program. Atomics International’s most prominent terrestrial project was the Sodium Reactor Experiment. In 1957, the reactor supplied electricity to the commercial grid serving Moorpark, California, making it the first U.S. nuclear reactor to generate electricity for a commercial power system. A 1959 fuel-channel obstruction caused partial melting in 13 of the reactor’s 43 fuel elements. The reactor was repaired and restarted in 1960, continuing operation until 1964. The organization also contributed to demonstration reactors at Hallam, Nebraska, and Piqua, Ohio, although both projects encountered technical difficulties and operated for only limited periods. Its SNAP work produced compact reactors and associated nuclear-power technology intended for satellites and other demanding environments. SNAP-10A was launched by the United States in 1965 and became the first nuclear reactor operated in space by the country. The program was subsequently cancelled, ending a major line of Atomics International’s government-funded development work. The company also operated hot-laboratory and fuel-handling facilities, performed radiochemistry and reactor-fuel development, and conducted non-nuclear energy research, including coal gasification using molten-salt technology. As enthusiasm for nuclear power and government reactor development declined, Atomics International gradually moved away from designing and testing nuclear reactors. In 1978 it was combined with other Rockwell International activities in the Energy Systems Group, ending its existence as an autonomous division. The remaining operations were folded into Rockwell’s Rocketdyne division in 1984. Nuclear programs ended in 1989 and the remaining non-nuclear research activities ended in 1998. Rockwell later sold Rocketdyne, but the historical environmental obligations associated with the Santa Susana site remained a continuing government and property-management issue. Atomics International is therefore best understood as a former technical division rather than a continuing standalone brand.

Atomics International originated in 1948 when North American Aviation created its Atomic Energy Research Department to manage nuclear research for government and commercial purposes. Its first major facility was at North American’s Downey plant in California, where the department designed and operated a small aqueous homogeneous reactor. On April 21, 1952, that reactor became the first nuclear reactor to operate in California. In 1955, the department adopted the Atomics International name and expanded its work across the San Fernando Valley and the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. The organization initially pursued reactor technology as a potential commercial energy business. It selected liquid sodium as a promising coolant because of its heat-transfer characteristics and relatively low operating pressure at high temperatures. This work led to the Sodium Reactor Experiment, constructed at Santa Susana. On July 12, 1957, the SRE supplied electricity to the commercial grid serving nearby Moorpark, a milestone in U.S. nuclear-energy history. In July 1959, an organic contaminant blocked narrow cooling passages in fuel assemblies and caused partial melting in 13 of 43 fuel elements. Atomics International repaired the reactor, restarted it in September 1960, and operated it until 1964. Atomics International also supported experimental commercial-reactor projects. It designed the sodium-cooled Hallam Nuclear Generating Station reactor in Nebraska and the organic-moderated and cooled Piqua reactor in Ohio. Both were demonstration projects for the Atomic Energy Commission and both experienced technical problems that limited their operating lives. Alongside these large systems, the organization built low-power water-boiler-type reactors ranging from a few watts to higher research power levels. The L-54 design was supplied to universities and research institutions, including Japan, where one installation became known as Japan Research Reactor-1. A second major line of work was the U.S. government’s Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power program. Atomics International became a principal contractor for compact, lightweight nuclear-electric systems intended for space, land, and marine uses. Reactor development, fuel work, radiochemistry, and testing required specialized facilities at Santa Susana. The 1965 launch of SNAP-10A made it the first nuclear reactor launched into space by the United States. The government subsequently cancelled the broader SNAP program, leaving several government-owned facilities at the site. The company’s other activities included operation of the Atomics International Hot Lab, fuel-rod disassembly and decladding, reactor-fuel fabrication, irradiation work, radiochemistry, and development of molten-salt coal-gasification technology. In 1966, a government liquid-metal research center was established at Santa Susana using facilities associated with the earlier SNAP work; it later became the Energy Technology Engineering Center. Declining government and commercial interest in nuclear development led to organizational consolidation. In 1978, Atomics International became part of Rockwell International’s Energy Systems Group and ceased to operate as an independent division. In 1984, the remaining activities moved into Rocketdyne. Nuclear programs ended in 1989, while non-nuclear research continued until 1998. Later ownership changes involving Rocketdyne did not restore Atomics International as a standalone business. The former operating sites, particularly Santa Susana Area IV, became associated with long-term cleanup and environmental review concerning historical chemical and radiological impacts.

• 1998

  Final non-nuclear research ends

  [1]Atomics Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  Remaining non-nuclear research activities conclude.

• 1989

  Nuclear programs end

  [1]Atomics Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  Nuclear research and operating programs associated with the organization cease.

• 1984

  Merged into Rocketdyne

  [1]Atomics Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  Remaining activities are transferred to Rockwell’s Rocketdyne division.

• 1978

  Combined into Energy Systems Group

  [1]Atomics Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  Rockwell International consolidates Atomics International with other energy operations.

• 1965

  SNAP-10A launched

  [1]Atomics Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  The compact reactor becomes the first U.S. nuclear reactor launched into space.

• 1964

  SRE operation ends

  [1]Atomics Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  The Sodium Reactor Experiment is permanently shut down after restart and subsequent operation.

• 1959

  SRE fuel-damage incident

  [1]Atomics Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  Cooling-channel blockage causes partial melting in 13 fuel elements.

• 1957

  Sodium Reactor Experiment supplies grid power

  [1]Atomics Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  The SRE begins supplying nuclear-generated electricity to the Moorpark commercial grid.

• 1955

  Department renamed Atomics International

  [1]Atomics Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  North American Aviation gives its nuclear organization the Atomics International name.

• 1952

  First California nuclear reactor operates

  [1]Atomics Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  A small aqueous homogeneous reactor at Downey becomes the first nuclear reactor to operate in California.

• 1948

  Atomic Energy Research Department created

  [1]Atomics Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  North American Aviation establishes the internal department that would become Atomics International.

A pioneering government and commercial nuclear-technology developer focused on experimental reactors, compact nuclear power, and aerospace-related energy systems.

• Experimental nuclear reactor · 1957

  Sodium Reactor Experiment

  An experimental sodium-cooled reactor developed at Santa Susana to demonstrate nuclear electricity generation. It supplied power to the Moorpark commercial grid in 1957, suffered partial fuel-element melting in 1959, was repaired and restarted in 1960, and operated until 1964.

• Space nuclear-power system · 1965

  SNAP-10A

  A compact nuclear reactor developed under the Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power program. Its 1965 launch demonstrated the use of a U.S. nuclear reactor for space power and represented Atomics International’s most visible aerospace achievement.

• Research reactor · 1952

  Aqueous homogeneous reactors

  Small reactors using an enriched uranyl-sulfate solution as both fuel medium and moderator. Atomics International developed models for research, training, neutron production, and isotope work, including the L-54, which was installed at institutions in the United States and abroad.

• Demonstration power reactor · 1962

  Hallam Nuclear Generating Station reactor

  A demonstration reactor developed for Nebraska using liquid sodium as coolant and graphite as moderator. It formed part of the organization’s effort to establish alternative commercial reactor concepts but encountered technical and operational limitations.

• Demonstration power reactor · 1963

  Piqua Nuclear Power Facility reactor

  An experimental Ohio reactor using an organic coolant and moderator. Developed as an Atomic Energy Commission demonstration project, it operated for only a limited period because of technical difficulties.

• Nuclear laboratory service

  Atomics International Hot Lab

  A specialized facility used for fuel-rod disassembly, decladding, and support of SNAP and other reactor research. It was later operated under Rockwell International and formed part of the technical infrastructure inherited by successor organizations.

• 2009

  Santa Susana Field Laboratory contamination investigation

  Federal environmental authorities investigated possible radiological and chemical contamination associated with historical reactor and energy research in Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. Cleanup responsibilities and the condition of the former site remained subjects of regulatory action after Atomics International ceased operations.

  Source

• 1959

  Sodium Reactor Experiment fuel-melting incident

  An organic contaminant blocked cooling passages in SRE fuel assemblies, causing partial melting in 13 of 43 fuel elements. The reactor was repaired and restarted, but the incident became a significant safety event in the organization’s operating history.

  Source

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• 1984

  Transfer remaining operations to RocketdyneM&A

  Background

  Rockwell ended the Energy Systems Group while retaining selected technical capabilities and programs.

  Action taken

  The remaining Atomics International activities were merged into Rockwell International’s Rocketdyne division.

  Aftermath

  The Atomics International name no longer represented an autonomous operating division, and later nuclear work eventually ceased.

  Source

• 1978

  Consolidate into Rockwell’s Energy Systems GroupStrategy

  Background

  Interest in nuclear power and government reactor development had declined, reducing the rationale for maintaining an autonomous division.

  Action taken

  Rockwell International combined Atomics International with other energy activities in the Energy Systems Group.

  Aftermath

  Atomics International ceased to function as an independent division, although its technical work continued under successor structures.

  Source

• 1955

  Adopt the Atomics International identityStrategy

  Background

  North American Aviation’s nuclear research department had expanded beyond basic research into reactor development and government programs.

  Action taken

  The parent company renamed the department Atomics International and developed it as a dedicated nuclear-technology division.

  Aftermath

  The new division became a major participant in U.S. experimental reactor and space-nuclear programs.

  Source

1. 1Atomics Internationalen.wikipedia.org