I’m fascinated by atomic energy.
Not just bombs – though what high explosives fan can resist the biggest booms of all – but atomic energy in general. The early power reactors. Atoms for peace. Project Plowshare.
I have personal reasons for this, but in my mind, it also ties in to something I call “The Future We Could Have Had”. A lot of folks have written about facets of that future, and someday I may do a longer blog post on the idea.
Today is not that day. But here are some vintage atomic videos to hold you.
First up, “First Reactor In Space…SNAP 10A”. SNAP 10A was an experimental reactor launched almost exactly 55 years ago (April 3, 1965) and was the first nuclear reactor in orbit.
Bonus video: “Power For Continent Seven”. Yes, there was a reactor at McMurdo Station (PM-3A) that operated for about 10 years.
Slight spoiler: if you read the Wikipedia entries, you’ll find that neither one of these projects was, shall we say, 100% successful.