On the Development and Construction of BR-1 – the First Experimental Fast Reactor in the USSR

3/25/2025 2025 - #01 History of science

Frolov Y.V. Troyanov V.M.

https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2025.1.14

Based on archived documents and the recollections of participants in the work, a single episode from the almost dramatic history of the creation of fast neutron energy reactors in the USSR is presented, covering the period from 1949 to 1955 – from the discussion and decision to begin work to the commissioning of the first experimental fast reactor BR-1 in the USSR. The significance of A.I. Leypunsky as the initiator, ideologist, and scientific director of work on fast reactors in the USSR is highlighted, as well as the contributions of D.I. Blokhintsev and L.N. Usachev to the development of fast reactor theory. The roles of the leaders of the Soviet atomic project, I.V. Kurchatov, E.P. Slavsky, and the Scientific and Technical Council of the First Main Directorate under the Council of Ministers of the USSR, in the decision to construct the BR-1 reactor at Laboratory “V” (now IPPE JSC) are reflected upon. The reasons and history behind the creation of BR-1 are briefly outlined, the main participants in R&D at Laboratory “V” are named, and the rationale for transferring fast reactor work from LIPAN (now the NRC “Kurchatov Institute”) to the Laboratory “V” is revealed.

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fast neutron reactor Laboratory “V” IPPE JSC I.V. Kurchatov E.P. Slavsky A.I. Leypunsky D.I. Blokhintsev reactor BR-1 reactor BR-2 reactor theory neutron calculation analysis development and construction

Link for citing the article: Frolov Y.V., Troyanov V.M. On the Development and Construction of BR-1 – the First Experimental Fast Reactor in the USSR. Izvestiya vuzov. Yadernaya Energetika. 2025, no. 1, pp. 189-202; DOI: https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2025.1.14 (in Russian).