-3 Note ‘thie sesumes that each atom that fissions te dispersed in the
‘atmosphere,
During the Kiwi-A tests pieces of apparatus adjacent toa the reactor
suffered no radiationdamage. _ However, the reactor cannot be approuached immediatelyafter shutdown. F or. ground teate of this type reactor
contamination is not serious if an isolated apot, i. Ces 4 miles in diameter,
can be used. Ona Jaunching pad contd mination problems would exist, but
probably protection similar to that now being made for explosive-reasons would
be satisfactory to contain the radiation danger. Some consideration has been
_ given to possible tankage schemes for using a reactor with a rocket,
It is
stated that the radiation zone from the reactor would onlyaffect tanks of
the liquid hydrogenefa armall percentage bn the end nearest to the reactor,
It would not in any way prevent the normal functioning of the pumping system.
If the tanks were used to separate the payloadfrom the reactor, the liquid
hydrogen acts ae a natural ‘shield to protect the’ payload from the radiation of the
reactor. I{ the payload were to include people, some“additional shielding would
have to be provided to prevent back scatter radiation.
as,
Higher Temperature Fuel Elements
_ if they can use 50% zirconium graphite and 50% uranium carbide the weight
‘would be reduced by a factor of 3, Other metallic materials euch ae tungsten
?
are being investigated for high temperature fuel elements,
They are also
planning to see how far they can push the graphite type by getting a higher percentage
eran
aeen