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ATOMS FOR SPACE AND SNAP This film describes the development and use of compact nuclear power sources for space under the Atomic Energy Commission's Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power (SNAP) program. The film features the first use of atomic power in the nation's space effort and briefly covers the uses of SNAP devices on land and sea. By means of animation and models, the two basic concepts of the SNAP program are shown. In one approach the energy of decay from radioactive isotopes is used to gen- erate electricity directly, without moving parts. This method is being developed for the USAEC by the Martin Company, the aerospace divi- sion of the Martin Marietta Corporation. A SNAP isotopic-power gen- erator was launched on board the Navy's Transit navigation satellite in June 1961, marking the first use of nuclear power in space. The other SNAP approach uses, the heat from a compact nuclear-fission reactor to generate electricity by a turbogenerator system or by direct conversion. The nuclear-reactor systems being developed by Atomics International, a division of North American Aviation, Inc., will provide from 500 to 60,000 watts of electricity in space for one year. They can provide power for a satellite network for worldwide communications, weather observation, and navigation. The film briefly summarizes the importance of the use of space in the areas of communications; weather observation; research; navigation; astronomy and exploration; and the consequent need, as space technology advances, for more com- pact electrical power sources. A detailed explanation is given of the isotopic-power source aboard the Transit-4A navigational satellite, which produces almost 3 electrical watts — enough to power two of the satellite's four navigational radio transmitter systems for five years or more. The isotopic-powered navigation equipment is transmitting precise signals that are being received all over the globe. The opera- tional Transit satellite system will provide navigational information from which aircraft and ships around the world will be able to fix their positions within 0.1 mile. The film reviews the various nuclear- reactor-powered units, including SNAP-2, which will provide 3000 watts of electricity in space for one year; SNAP-10A, which will pro- vide 500 watts for one year; and SNAP-8, which will generate up to 60,000 watts and will pioneer electric propulsion in the U. S. space program. SNAP power systems in three satellites in 24-hr orbit around the earth could provide a worldwide TV network with multilingual audio channels. Safety factors and safety testing of both types of SNAP units are shown. Since the fuel of the isotopic devices is radioactive itself, the capsule has been designed to keep it sealed on the launching pad, during launch, and in orbit. The SNAP nuclear-reactor systems are being so designed that, after a useful long life in space, they will shut down, cool off radioactively for a long period, and finally burn up on reentry. The small amount of remaining activity will be widely dis- persed safely in, the vast area of the outer atmosphere. SNAP systems also have uses in remote areas on land and sea. An unmanned gen-