SL-1 reactor meltdown - video and photos

[Altair]

Aftermath photos of the National Reactor Testing Station's Stationary Low-Power Reactor Number One (SL-1) experimental reactor which underwent a steam explosion and meltdown on January 3, 1961. Three operators lost their lives.

8:33 video:

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...n_fullsize.jpg


Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...2_fullsize.jpg


Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...1_fullsize.jpg





Previously:

Boiled water reactor under construction - photo
Nuclear power plant control rod room - photo
Floating nuclear power plant - photos
3D-printed nuclear power plant safety valve - photo
Russian nuclear power plant control rooms - photos

[metric_taper]

I know this was classified information at one time, but it's known to have been caused by murder suicide, as one of the men was cheating with the others wife.
However anything written today only indicates it's a 'possible' cause.
https://passingstrangeness.wordpress...clear-reactor/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SL-1

[Elizabeth Greene]

I was unfamiliar with the murder/suicide part of this story. Thanks for sharing it.

The Terrapower reactors are being designed so that even a well informed dedicated malicious attacker shouldn't be able to cause this kind of incident. I had thought that a bit silly; now not so much.

[Floradawg]

One of the most interesting books I have ever read (and I read a lot) is "Atomic Accidents" by James Mahaffey. There have been many more accidents and incidents than most people have ever heard of. I can't recommend this book highly enough. Check it out. He also has a book called "Atomic Adventures" which is also interesting but duplicates a lot of info from the other book. If you read one of these make it the first one.