SNAP Program Photos

Details about the nuclear power reactors tested at the Engineering Technology Engineering Center (ETEC) as part of the Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Program (SNAP). The program's goal was to develop compact, lightweight and reliable atomic electric devices—reactors—for use in space and sea and on land. Tests for these reactors were held primarily within six buildings at ETEC between 1956 and 1971, including the SNAP Environmental Test Facility (SETF), also known as Building 24 or 4024.

The SNAP Environmental Test Facility, also known as Building 4024, had large vacuum chambers that replicated the near-zero pressure of space and were equipped with thermal shrouds and radiant heaters to simulate thermal extremes encountered in orbit. This allowed for the system-level testing of three fully assembled SNAP reactor prototypes, including SNAP-10.

Research and development for nuclear power reactors were conducted within six buildings at ETEC between 1956 and 1971, including the SNAP Environmental Test Facility (SETF), also known as Building 24 or 4024.

Leaded windows allowed scientists to view tests for nuclear reactors in the SNAP Environmental Test Facility (Building 4024). Also shown is a control center with monitors.

Close up of SNAP-10 reactor in one of the testing chambers in the SNAP Environmental Test Facility, also known as Building 4024.

A detailed view of the parts comprising the SNAP-10A reactor.

Overhead view of SNAP-10 reactor, looking down through the top of a testing chamber in the SNAP Environmental Test Facility (Building 4024). The hole would be plugged while testing was conducted on the reactor.

A scientist works on the nuclear reactor as part of the SNAP program at ETEC.

A timeline of SNAP-10A's assembly through its April 3, 1965, launch aboard an Atlas-Agena D rocket from Vandenburg Air Force Base in Lompoc, California.

SNAP-10A was launched April 3, 1965, aboard an Atlas-Agena D rocket from Vandenburg Air Force Base in Lompoc, California, about 140 miles northeast of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, where ETEC is located. This became the only nuclear reactor the U.S. successfully sent into space. Once in orbit, SNAP-10A provided power for 43 days before it unexpectedly shut down due to a voltage regulator not related to the reactor. The reactor remains safe, shut down and in a stable 4,000-year orbit.

A timeline of milestones for the SNAP program, including the successful launch of SNAP-10A in 1965. Although it shut down 43 days after launch due to a voltage regulator unrelated to the reactor, SNAP-10A remains safe and in a stable 4,000-year orbit.