NASA / AEROJET NUCLEAR REACTOR TURBINE METALS RARE 1960’s ONE OFF SNAP 8 PARTS For Sale
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
NASA / AEROJET NUCLEAR REACTOR TURBINE METALS RARE 1960’s ONE OFF SNAP 8 PARTS: $99999.99
This Box of nasa parts is a piece of NASA history! Parts are from the SNAP-8 Program in the 1960’s. These are parts off the turbine used to convert heat from the reactor into electrical power. Mercury vapor was used instead of steam to turn the turbine. The SNAP-8 was a ground based experimental reactor that was used for testing. Only TWO were built.
The first ran from 1963 to 1965. It had several technical problems that resulted in radioactive isotopes getting into the coolant. These problems were fixed in a second reactor that ran in 1969. At that point the program developing reactors for use in spacecraft was cancelled due to budget cuts. Given the 1967 date on the inspection slip these were probably either production tests for the tooling for manufacturing the parts for the second reactor or spare parts left over from the first one. They don’t look like they were ever used. Historically they are very interesting. They may be some of the last surviving parts of the SNAP-8 program which is very rare to come by. This is a very interesting piece of history of both nuclear reactors and space flight.
The desktop model looks to be maybe spare parts? And built into a desk ornament. The name on the bottom “Stromquist, A. J.”. A. J. Stromquist is an engineer and researcher who co-authored multiple technical reports for NASA’s Lewis Research Center (now the John H. Glenn Research Center) during the late 1960s and early 1970s. His work primarily focused on evaluating the durability, shock resistance, and performance of components built for the SNAP-8 (Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power) project, an initiative aimed at developing a nuclear reactor system to provide electrical power for space vehicles
I’m looking for the perfect buyer whether it be a Nuclear science and history museum or someone who is a collector of very rare significant parts. I’ve been in contact with a few museums and none of them have any parts from SNAP-8. These parts are super sought after to many people. (Sold as is) as they are from the 1960’s. (There also may be signs of mercury and or radi ation still on the items so please be aware)
Fast shipping, signature required and insured. Accepting offers!
Any questions please just reach out and I’ll do my best to answer them for you! Have a great day
