Nuclear energy tested for space craft

When amounts of power in the kilowatt range or greater are needed for long orbital flights, nuclear energy may be the only practical source. To confirm the value of nuclear energy in this connection, Lockheed Missiles & Space Company plans to test nuclear-electrical power systems functioning in satellites in space. The SNAP 2 and SNAP 10A (systems for nuclear auxiliary power), currently under development by the Atomic Energy Commission, will be tested. The project, known as SNAPSHOT, is under direct supervision of the Air Force Space Systems Division.