 | |
| Industry | Nuclear energy and related technology |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1955 |
| Defunct | 1978 |
| Fate | merger |
| Successor | Energy Systems Group Division of Rockwell International |
| Headquarters | Canoga Park, California 34°13′44″N 118°42′50″W / 34.229°N 118.714°W |
Key people | Chauncey Starr |
Number of employees | 9,000 |
| Parent | North American Aviation (1933–1967) |
Atomics International was a division of the North American Aviation company (later acquired by the Rockwell International company) which engaged principally in the early development of nuclear technology and nuclear reactors for both commercial and government applications. Atomics International was responsible for a number of accomplishments relating to nuclear energy: design, construction and operation of the first nuclear reactor in California (1952),[1] the first nuclear reactor to produce power for a commercial power grid in the United States (1957)[2] and the first nuclear reactor launched into outer space by the United States (1965).[3]
Atomics International undertook the development of nuclear reactors soon after being established: a series of commercial nuclear power reactors beginning with the Sodium Reactor Experiment (SRE) and a range of compact nuclear reactors culminating with the Systems for Auxiliary Nuclear Power SNAP-10A system. Both efforts were successful, despite nuclear accidents at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, but overall interest in nuclear power steadily declined. The division transitioned to non-nuclear energy-related projects such as coal gasification and gradually ceased designing and testing nuclear reactors. Atomics International was eventually merged with another division (Rocketdyne division) of the same parent company (Rockwell International). As of 2010, all of the Atomics International facilities, except for the few remaining facilities located in the Area IV test area at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL), have been demolished, cleaned and reused, or awaiting final cleanup.[4]
- ^ Remley, Marlin. The Search for Alternate Energy, undated publication.
- ^ U.S. Energy Information Agency. "California Nuclear Industry". Archived from the original on January 5, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
- ^ Voss, Susan (August 1984). SNAP Reactor Overview. U.S. Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. p. 57. AFWL-TN-84-14.
- ^ Sapere; Boeing (May 2005). "Historical Site Assessment of Area IV Santa Susana Field Laboratory Ventura County, California" (PDF). Energy Technology Engineering Center. Retrieved October 13, 2012.