Leonard M. Maki Nuclear Power Collection, 1958 - circa 1990s

Container List

Series 1: Publications and Typescripts, 1958-1990 Add to Shelf

This series includes scientific publications and offprints, and typescripts of seminars presented by Maki in the 1990s. Subjects addressed in the publications include aerospace nuclear power systems and safety, the application of nuclear space power to marine environments, and the analysis of various types of nuclear reactors. Box-folders 1.1, 1.2, and 1.11 in this series have been digitized and are available upon request.

Box-Folder 1.1: J. G. Asquith and Leonard Maki, "Design of the FFTF Fuel Storage Facility (FSF)", circa 1977 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.2: Atomics International, Hallam Nuclear Power Facility, 1963 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.3: Atomics International, New Career Horizons with Atomics International, circa 1961 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.4: Robert L. Detterman, "Aerospace Nuclear Safety", January 30, 1968 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.5: H. M. Dieckamp, Nuclear Space Power System, 1967 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.6: D. J. Gylfe, Reactor Space Power Systems, 1968 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.7: R. A. Johnson and Leonard Maki, "Adaptation of Nuclear Space Power Plants to Marine Applications", August 13, 1967 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.8: Henry Lurie and Leonard Maki, "Fluidized Bed Reactor Concept for a Gas Turbine Power Plant", May 27, 1958 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.9: Leonard Maki and H. R. Brager, "Operating Capabilities and Growth Potential of the SNAP 8 Reactor", June 24, 1965 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.10: Leonard Maki and E. J. Donovan, "The Reference ZrH Reactor", June 18, 1969 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.11: J. F. O'Brien, Proceedings of the ANPP Reactor Analysis Seminar, October 11-12, 1960 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.12: R. D. Oldenkamp, E. Guenther and S. Golan, "The Sodium Advanced Fast Reactor", circa 1989 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.13: R. D. Oldenkamp, E. Guenther, J. E. Brunings and R. Hren, "Update - Sodium Advanced Fast Reactor (SAFR) Concept", circa 1990 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 2.1: T.H. Pigford and L.D. Posey, Course book: NE 250A, Nuclear Reactor Theory, 1959 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 2.2: Rockwell International, "Reference Advanced Liquid Metal Reactor (LMR) Program - Executive Summary", April 4, 1988 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 2.3: Rockwell International, Space Exploration Initiative, 1990 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 2.4: Leonard Maki, "The Glory Days of the US Reactor Space Power Program, 1956 to 1973" [seminar typescript], circa 1990s Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 2.5: Leonard Maki, "SNAP Development Challenges" [seminar typescript], circa 1990s Add to Shelf

Series 2: Photographs and Artists’ Concepts, 1960-1967 Add to Shelf

The Photographs and Artists’ Concepts series includes real world photographs, and artists’ renderings of SNAP systems (Systems for Nuclear, Auxiliary Power), including SNAP-2, SNAP-8, SNAP-10, and SNAP-10A. Odd-numbered SNAPs were powered by radioisotope thermoelectric generators; even-numbered SNAPs were powered by compact nuclear reactors. Also included in this series is a photograph of Leonard Maki, circa 1960s (Box 2, Folder 10).

Box-Folder 2.6: The SNAP-10A Reactor Space Power System, 1962, 1964-1965 Add to Shelf

Images include an artist's concept of the SNAP-10A System, photographs of the SNAP-10A radiator structure and system mock-up, documentation of the testing, transport and launch of the system, and an artist's concept of the SNAP-10A in orbit (10 images).

Box-Folder 2.7: Underwater Applications of Space Nuclear Power Plants, 1963-1964 Add to Shelf

Conceptual design studies were performed to evaluate the feasibility of using nuclear space power plants for underwater applications. These studies concluded that design changes would be required, but the resulting configurations could be quite attractive for a variety of missions. Images include an artist's concept of an HMBR Reactor, a photograph of a SNAP-8 reactor mockup undergoing shock and vibration testing, and a "Buzz Sawyer" comic strip that incorporates an exact copy of the SNAP-8 reactor in its three-panel narrative of the installation of a nuclear power plant at an underwater laboratory (3 images).

Box-Folder 2.8: The SNAP-8 Developmental Reactor, 1963 Add to Shelf

The SNAP-8 was a complete prototype reactor system that was operated in a large underground vacuum chamber to simulate space operation. Images include photographs and artistic depictions of the apparatus, including its ground test assembly and fuel loading (6 images).

Box-Folder 2.9: The SNAP-2 Reactor Space Power System, 1964-1965 Add to Shelf

The SNAP-2 was an upgraded version of the SNAP-10A designed to operate a small mercury Rankine power plant. Images include photographs of the SNAP-2 reactor and control components, the assembled reactor and control system, a schematic diagram of the developmental reactor test, and an artistic depiction of the mercury Rankine power plant (6 images).

Box-Folder 2.10: An Advanced Zirconium Hydride Reactor, circa late 1960s Add to Shelf

The Advanced ZrH Reactor was a higher powered, longer lived space power reactor on which work was initiated in the late 1960s. The program was terminated before an actual reactor was built. Images include a photograph of Leonard Maki posing with a model of the Advanced ZrH Reactor as well as an artist's conception of the reference design for the reactor (2 images).

Box-Folder 2.11: Nuclear Reactor Space Power Missions, circa 1960s Add to Shelf

The SNAP reactor space power plants were proposed for a wide range of missions. This folder includes artists conceptions of several of these proposed missions including the powering of large orbiting space stations and lunar modules, communications satellites, laser beam weapons, underwater structures and mobile units for military use (16 images).

Box-Folder 2.12: Assorted SNAP images, 1962-1967 Add to Shelf

Images include photographs of a compact lead-telluride thermoelectric generator designed for space reactor applications, an irradiation test assembly, the induction heating of a SNAP-8 fuel element and an artist's conception of a nuclear-powered satellite (4 images).

Series 3: Reports, 1961-1973 Add to Shelf

This series is comprised of a development plan for the SNAP-8 reactor that charts the program’s progress from its beginning in FY 1961, to expected delivery in FY 1966. Also included in this series is a report detailing the expected results for tests on parts of the 5 Kwe reactor.

Box-Folder 2.13: "SNAP 8 Development Plan", September 18, 1961 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 2.14: "5 Kwe Reactor Test Program", circa 1973 Add to Shelf

Data set, which may have been compiled by Atomics International, includes descriptions of various tests conducted as part of the program, including the conditions, purpose and expected results specific to a given test.

Series 4: Atomics International Records, 1963 Add to Shelf

Series 4 includes two telephone directories, an organizational chart for the Compact Systems division of Atomics International, a costs list for the Space Electric Program, and charts that document Atomics International’s space power experience.

Box-Folder 2.15: Records, 1963 Add to Shelf

Series 5: Artifacts, undated Add to Shelf

The Artifacts series is comprised of five artifacts contemporary to Leonard Maki's work as a nuclear engineer, including a piece of graphite similar to what would have been used in early nuclear reactors; a zirconium hydride rod and beryllium bolts similar to what would have been used in the SNAP reactors; an AECL Technologies (Atomic Energy of Canada Limited) paperweight; a Dietzgen “Trig-Easy” trigonometrical chart; and a slide rule in a hand-tooled, leather holster.

Box-Folder 3.1: Reactor materials: Graphite, Zirconium Hydride rod and Beryllium bolts, undated Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 3.2: AECL Technologies paper weight, undated Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 3.3: Slide rule and trigonometrical chart, undated Add to Shelf