The Insane Engineering of the NS Savannah: Why Atomic Shipping Failed скачать в хорошем качестве

The Insane Engineering of the NS Savannah: Why Atomic Shipping Failed

Can you run the world's trade on "Atoms for Peace"? In 1959, the United States launched the NS Savannah, the world’s first nuclear-powered merchant ship. It was a mechanical masterpiece: a vessel that could sail for three years straight without ever stopping for fuel. But despite its technical perfection, it became one of the most expensive "white elephants" in maritime history. In this episode of Absolute Mechanics, we deconstruct the insane engineering behind this atomic marvel. We explore the Physics of the Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR), looking at how 700 tons of lead and polyethylene shielding were used to protect passengers from the core’s radiation. We’ll dive into the Collision Protection System, examining the massive "buffer" structures designed to prevent a nuclear meltdown even if another ship rammed the Savannah at full speed. Finally, we look at the Commercial Paradox: why the cost of specialized crews, nuclear-certified ports, and the "stigma" of radiation eventually sank the future of atomic shipping.