The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Boy Scouts of America Nuclear Merit Badge

2010-10-29T12:44:00.000-07:00

Back in the late 1960s, I was a proud member of Troop 210, Boy Scouts of America. On Wednesday evenings, my friend Stan and I would don our green uniforms and walk over to the old San Jacinto Baptist Church, then on 6th Street in Amarillo, Texas. There in the church’s basement was where our troop would meet. We spent a tremendous amount of time in earning, and arranging to earn, merit badges.

Merit badges have been an integral part of the Scouting program since the start of the movement in the United Kingdom in 1907. Scouting came to the United States in 1910. The BSA quickly issued an initial list of just 14 merit badges, but did not produce or award them. In 1911, the BSA manufactured the first official 57 merit badges and began awarding them. The number of badges available has been as high as 140 and, as of late 2010, is 126.

Merit badges exist to encourage Scouts to explore areas of interest and to teach valuable skills. The award of merit badges sometimes leads to careers and lifelong hobbies. Scouts earn merit badges by satisfying specified criteria. A Court of Honor is then held to present the badge.

With many parents in Amarillo working at the local Pantex Plant, one of the more popular merit badges was the Atomic Energy Badge. Approved by the BSA in 1963, it was the 104th in their series of merit badges. In 2005, the badge was renamed the nuclear science energy badge.

The badge has seven main criteria. Scouts are asked to describe the biological effects and hazards of radiation to humankind, the environment, and wildlife. The scout must be able to describe the radiation hazard symbol and explain where it should be used. He must be able to define appropriate scientific terms, name five individuals important to the field of atomic energy, and use models to explain the difference between atomic number and mass number.

The fifth criteria allows the scout to choose three projects from a list of ten, including possibly building an electroscope, a cloud chamber, or learning to detect radon. He also learns about current nuclear power plants, nuclear medicine, space exploration, and radiation therapy. The scout is also asked to investigate career opportunities in the nuclear science field.

For those desiring more information about the nuclear science energy badge, a detailed pamphlet, Stock Number 33275A, can be obtained from the Boy Scouts of America.

Civil Defence Collection

2010-10-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

I still remember it attached to one of the exterior walls of my elementary school, the yellow and black fallout shelter sign. Once inside there were other signs directing people to the basement. Once I was able to go down into the basement to help my teacher move some easels and there they were. Stacked neatly were big green barrels and boxes of supplies, some marked crackers, others marked medical kit.

When my teacher told me what they were for, I remember asking, "How is everyone going to fit in here?" I never got an answer. I thought that maybe the well behaved students got to the basement and the others would have to make due by hiding under their desks.

Most of those supplies were certainly placed in my school during the early 1960s, the zenith of the civil defense program during the John F. Kennedy administration. Prior to his Presidency, the Truman and Eisenhower administrations were less enthusiastic about Civil Defense. Survivability was the key issue. Would it be worth all that money for civil defense, when few if any would survive, even within the shelters?

It was the Kennedy administration which made civil defense a priority. Kennedy urged Americans "without delay" to build backyard shelters. He requested and got $207.6 million dollars in civil defense funds to identify and mark fallout shelters and to stock them with food, water, first-aid kits and other essentials. Civil Defense would now be the responsibility of the Department of Defense, Office of Civil Defense.

There was much opposition to any civil defense program. It was thought by some that no one in or out of shelters could survive an all out thermo-nuclear war, making shelters a waste of tax payer's money. Others noted that civil defense publications seemed addressed to the suburban upper classes and less for inner city populations or the poor who may not own a home. Still others argued that it would only encourage the start of nuclear war by undermining the Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) doctrine.

In light of the opposition in November 1961 a decision was made that the federal shelter program would now only apply to communities or groups, not individual shelters. A decision was also made to restrict all future civil defense activity to completing the OCD shelter survey that had been funded in 1961. Eventually, this survey would identify and place shelter signs on designated buildings

In order to be designated a public shelter, a facility had to have enough space for at least 50 people, include one cubic foot of storage space per person, and have a radiation protection factor of 100. The materials division of DOD, called the Defense Supply Agency, furnished shelter supplies to local governments, which were then responsible for stocking all shelters in their regions. By 1963, 104 million individual shelters had been identified; and of those 47 million had been licensed, 46 million marked, and 9 million individual spaces had been stocked with supplies.

The museum's collection of civil defense supplies are as varied as the places and individuals they came from. There are survey instruments, water containers, medical kits, dosimeters, sanitation kits, food supplements, generators, crackers, flashlights, radios, etc. Some of the best examples are currently on permanent exhibit.

Many of these supplies still sit in shelters undisturbed all these years. You can still see yellow and black signs when driving around town. I am sure all those supplies I saw in the basement of my old elementary school are still sitting there waiting.

Handbook for living in a fallout shelter

Fallout Shelter Sign

Civil Defence artifacts found in the collection.

Join the Museum for "A Science A'Fair"

2010-09-24T15:15:00.000-07:00

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History has teamed upwith ABQ Trolley Co. to present the Museum’s next Pure Energy evententitled “A Science A’Fair” from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29,2010. Those who wish to attend the event and enjoy an open-air trolleyride can catch the “Atomic Trolley” at the Albuquerque ConventionCenter, Third Street and Tijeras Avenue N.W., in downtown Albuquerque.

The Pure Energy “Science A’Fair” event has been designed as anexciting evening of kid fun – adult style. Guests will have theopportunity to “learn by playing” with hands-on science experimentsthat demonstrate the basics of chemistry and physics. There will alsobe door prizes, science trivia contests, a “visit” by a 143-year-oldwoman scientist, and much more.

The ticket cost for the ABQ Trolley ride is $10, which includesadmission to the Science A’Fair event. To take the Atomic Trolley,riders should be at the Albuquerque Convention Center loading zone onthe west side of west complex at 5 p.m.; the Trolley will depart at5:15. Trolley riders will also have the opportunity to win door prizeson their ride to the Museum. Tickets for ABQ Trolley may be purchasedon their website: http://www.abqtrolley.com/index.php/AtomicTrolley

The Pure Energy membership program caters to people who are 20 to 40years old by providing free admission to the Museum, invitations tospecial member events, and much more, but the Pure Energy event, “AScience A’Fair,” is open to all ages. For this night only, Pure Energymemberships will be sold for $20. Membership benefits include freeadmission to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History aswell as more than 300 science centers around the world.

Admission for the Science A’Fair night, for those who do not takethe Atomic Trolley, is $8 for the general public and free to PureEnergy members. Refreshments will be provided and a cash bar will beavailable. For more information or to be informed about future events,call 505-245-2137, extension 113.

Play Reading of "Broken Hammer"

2010-09-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History will host a reading of Broken Hammer, a play written by Robert Benjamin, physicist turned playwright. In the play Benjamin blends loyalty and romance with stockpile stewardship. The staged reading will begin at 7:00 pm on September 21 and will be followed by a question and answer session with the author.

Benjamin began his career in play writing after 30 years as a research experimental physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Though his previously produced full-length plays focus on the relationships and secrets, Broken Hammer is different because of its emphasis on science, politics and policy, he said.

In a story where nuclear history is intertwined with intense family dynamics and romance, Benjamin tells a cautionary tale to our technological society of being deceived by computer simulations that are not extremely well validated by scientific experiments.

The reading of Broken Hammer will be preceded by complimentary refreshments and access to Museum exhibits beginning at 6:00 pm. Admission is $5 for Museum members and $10 for non-members. Seating is limited, so please RSVP at 245-2137, ext 114.

Senator Domenici Book Signing

2010-08-26T09:07:00.002-07:00

Senator Pete V. Domenici will be signing the latest books on hisvast Congressional career at the National Museum of Nuclear Science& History from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 4. The Senatorwill also discuss highlights of his life of service, including hiscurrent participation in the Bipartisan Policy Center. According to thepublisher, one of the books, “Not Just New Mexico’s Senator: SenatorPete V. Domenici’s Leadership on Four Issues Affecting Our Nation’sFuture,” “takes a more focused path, discussing four complex andcritical issues of national and international importance where SenatorDomenici took a leadership role developing solutions to long-standingproblems.”

The authors of the books have also been invited to attend and sign books. They are:
Senator Pete Domenici’s Legacy 2008 by Jon Hunner
Senator Pete Domenici’s Legacy 2009 by Vicki Taggert
Not Just New Mexico’s Senator by Martin Janowski

Domenici serves as an honorary board member of the National AtomicMuseum Foundation and was the recipient of the 2008 National Award ofNuclear Science, presented annually by the Museum to a prominent personthat has had an impact on nuclear issues. Domenici is recognized forhis efforts as New Mexico’s longest-serving Senator and a proponent ofscience and technology. He pushed for passage of the Energy Policy Actof 2005, intended to accelerate U.S. development of clean and renewableenergy resources.

“We look forward to hosting what is sure to be an informativediscussion of the Senator’s passion for public service,” said JimWalther, Director of the Museum. “The Senator’s ability to providefascinating insights into current and important topics is not to bemissed.”

Domenici is also the author of A Brighter Tomorrow: Fulfilling thePromise of Nuclear Energy, in which he argues that after weighing thecosts and benefits of energy production, nuclear power must be a majorcontributor toward reducing the world’s CO2 emissions and overalldependence on increasingly scarce and perilously political supplies ofoil and gas.

There is no additional cost to attend the event beyond the Museum’susual admission of $8 for adults and $7 for youth and seniors. Forfurther information, contact the Museum at (505) 245-2137, extension 114.

NPR Story About the Museum

2010-08-10T10:14:00.002-07:00

Check out the story on NPR about the Museum on the 65th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129031051

New Temporary Exhibit Opens!

2010-07-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is hosting a special exhibition that will explore the world-changing scientific discoveries of two remarkable women: Marie Curie and Lise Meitner. The “Inspired Excellence” exhibition will deepen a visitor’s knowledge of the trials and tribulations that faced both and to showcase the spirit and contributions of each. “Inspired Excellence” opened on Saturday, July 3, 2010 and will run through the end of the year.

Curie and Meitner endured incredible challenges during the Victorian era when women were not welcome in the field of scientific discovery. Despite a lack of financial support, unsophisticated academic facilities, and little recognition of their endeavors, they persevered and triumphed.

Marie Sklodowska Curie and her husband Pierre Curie experimented together and discovered two radioactive elements, polonium and radium. They worked four years to acquire a very small quantity of radium in order to prove there really was such an element. In 1903, Pierre and Marie along with Henri Becquerel received the Nobel Prize in physics for their work and their discovery of radioactivity. In 1911 she received a second Nobel Prize, this time in chemistry, for her work in radioactivity. She was the first person ever to win two Nobel Prizes and the only person ever to win Prizes in two sciences.

Lise Meitner worked with Otto Hahn. She and Hahn discovered a radioactive element and named it protactinium. Although she collaborated heavily with him, Hahn, received the credit for the work. In 1938, she escaped Germany with no personal possessions, eventually relocating to Stockholm, Sweden. In 1944 Hahn would receive the Nobel Prize in chemistry for the interpretation of nuclear fission. Meitner was not mentioned, leading many to say this was the greatest oversight ever made by the Nobel Prize committee. In 1997, twenty-nine years after her death, the chemical element 109, the heaviest known element was named Meitnerium in her honor.

Visit the Museum today to learn more about these amazing women!

4th of July Race Starts and Finishes at Museum

2010-06-10T09:18:00.002-07:00

The 4th of July Fusion 4 Miler will start and finish at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

The Schedule:
7:00 am: A super flat and fast 4 miler
8:00 am: A kid's 1776 meter (1.1 mile).
Lots of awards and memorabilia will be handed out. All participating kids will receive finisher's ribbons. Later that day, bring your race number to the Nuclear Museum to receive 1/2 priced admission!

How to Register and Cost:
Early Registration at ABQ Running Shop, by mail, or at Active.com by 6/20:
General: $20

ARR Members/Active Duty Military: $18

Kids' 1776 meter run: $10

Late Registration through 7/3:
General: $25
ARR/Military: $23
Kid's 1776: $12

Race Day Registration 6:00-6:45am at the Museum
4 Miler: $30
Kid's 1776: $15

A portion of the proceeds from the race will go to the Museum's Science is Everywhere Summer Camp.

Questions? Call the ABQ Running Shop (505) 293-2RUN
www.abqrunningshop.com

Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Day

2010-06-03T10:54:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, May 22, the Museum celebrated the cultural traditions, ancestry, and native languages represented among the ethnic groups of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Activities included Martial Arts Demonstrations, Thai Dancers, East Asian Performance, Taiko Drummers, Food Samples and Demonstrations, Origami, Calligraphy and Brush Painting, Japanese Floral Arrangement Demonstrations, Puppet Shows, Interesting Lectures, and More! Check out the Museum's Facebook page to see pictures taken at this beautiful and successful event: http://tiny.cc/bum4k.

Pure Energy Event

2010-04-29T14:45:00.001-07:00

Join the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History on May 12 for an exciting evening of Mediterranean cuisine, New Mexico wines, tequila tasting, salsa music DJ, and “The Art of Fashion Show” produced by Buzz Networking Abq.

5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Admission is free to Pure Energy Members and only $15 admission for the general public.

For more information contact: 505-245-2137, ext. 113, or nscala@nuclearmuseum.org.

May Lecture at the Museum

2010-04-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History will continue its “Robert L. Long Distinguished Lecture Series” with a talk on the on May 4, 2010, at the Museum. The lecture will be the fourth in a series of lectures on the technical, political and personal aspects of energy generation, distribution, and consumption. The lecture is entitled “How We’re Vulnerable: the Energy, Education, and Cyber Threats to US National Security.”

Edward Bruce Held is the Director of the Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence at the Department of Energy in Washington, DC. Prior to his selection as Director, he was Chief of Counterintelligence at Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM; reporting directly to the Sandia National Laboratories Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Al Romig. As the Chief of Counterintelligence, Held made significant contributions to the protection and security of one of this nation’s nuclear security laboratories. His expertise in the areas of intelligence and counterintelligence established the highest standards in the protection of the work conducted at this laboratory.

“America is preeminent in both conventional and strategic forces and will likely remain so for at least a decade,” says Held. “Potential peer adversaries have learned from the Soviet Union that it is unwise to engage the dynamic US economy in a military arms race. In this context, energy, education, and cyber may well constitute the most important asymmetric strategic threats to US national security.”
Prior to his position at Sandia National Laboratories, Held served as a clandestine operations officer in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) where he received the Intelligence Commendation Medal for “tenacity and extraordinary accomplishments during a period of hostilities.” During his career with the CIA, Held served as the Chief of Station in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Held also served as Special Assistant to Anthony Lake, National Security Adviser to President Clinton, and as Special Assistant to George Tenet, Director of Central Intelligence.

The lecture series is named for Robert Long, who passed away in 2009. Friends and colleagues established the lecture series to honor his long career in education and the nuclear industry and his commitment to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

The lectures cost $10 to attend ($5 with Museum membership) and the doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a 7:15 lecture.

Pi Day A Major Hit!!

2010-03-16T13:19:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday on 3-14, we celebrated Pi Day at the Museum. Coincidentally, the day is also Einstein's birthday (he would have been 131). We celebrated with birthday pi, pizza pi, and all kinds of pi related activities for kids and families.

Even older kids got in on the action. UNM student Theresa Miller recited up to 500 digits of pi while hula hooping and solving a rubik's cube.

Thanks to everyone who came out and made the day such a success! Hope to see you next Pi Day!

2010 Einstein Society Gala at The Sheraton Uptown

2010-03-02T14:41:00.001-07:00

On March 20, 2010 the National Award of Nuclear Science and History will be presented to Nobel Prize winner Murray Gell-Mann at this elegant and inspiring event. This award recognizes Dr. Gell-Mann's many contributions to the theory of fundamental particles, including the existence of "quarks," the tiny sub-particles from which just about everything is made. In his distinguished career he worked alongside many other figures who are themselves legends of nuclear science and history, including Einstein, Oppenheimer, Fermi, Feynman and many others. His unique perspective on nuclear science and history, together with the extraordinary breadth of his other interests, promises an exceptional evening.

The gala dinner and dance will be held at the Sheraton Uptown. For more information or to secure a corporate sponsorship, contact the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History at 245-2137, ext. 110.
Tickets are $125 each and may be purchased at the Museum store.

ZOOM Into Engineering and Science a huge success!

2010-02-08T16:27:00.000-07:00

ZOOM into Engineering and Science 2010 was a huge success! Last Saturday nearly 700 people showed up to the annual event that promotes the development of strong science skills in children. The event included lots of fun, hands-on activities such as making ice cream with liquid nitrogen and creating a fractal to become part of a larger fractal. Other exciting opportunities for kids and their families included a display of a solar car from UNM and one-on-one interaction with engineers from Sandia National Laboratories, PNM, the Society of Women Engineers, ASK Academy, and many others. Thanks to all who came out and made ZOOM such a hit! Hope to see you next year!

ZOOM into Engineering & Science!

2010-02-02T11:25:00.002-07:00

This Saturday, February 6, the Museum will be hosting its 8th annual ZOOM into Engineering & Science. Children of all ages will enjoy engineering with a day of fun activities designed to help them develop strong science process skills, just like engineers do on a daily basis. Engineers from Sandia National Laboratories and other organizations will lead activities such as making ice cream with liquid nitrogen, building a lighted Space Needle, and mixing potions inspired by Harry Potter. The event takes place from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and participation is free with admission to the Museum.

National Nuclear Science Week

2009-11-30T11:15:00.003-07:00

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is excited to be the founding organization for a new event called National Nuclear Science Week. This week-long celebration will take place January 25-29, 2010.

National Nuclear Science Week will focus local, regional and national interest on all aspects of nuclear science. Each day will provide for learning about the contributions, innovations and opportunities that can be found by exploring nuclear science. Activities for the week will include focus areas in education, nuclear medicine and radiology, energy generation, safety, and careers.

Tools and ideas to encourage activities will be provided online as well as other materials for distribution, education and celebration. Check out the new website at www.nuclearscienceweek.org

Kids Salute to Military Heroes

2009-10-26T12:46:00.004-07:00

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History will celebrate Veteran’s Day on Sunday, November 15, 2009, with stories of service and multiple family activities.

The Museum will host the day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The focus of the day is to encourage citizens to recognize the many contributions of military members with an effort called “Kids Salute to Military Heroes.” Whether a service member served on a flight deck in the 1960s or just returned from Afghanistan, the Museum will honor the service made by this important community. An additional highlight of the day will be a car show featuring classic cars and military vehicles.

“Our veterans and service personnel have given of themselves many times over,” said Jim Walther, Director of the Museum. “Our day will give the community an opportunity to commemorate that inspirational service as well as give young people a chance to learn about the military from someone who has served. And everyone can enjoy some great vehicles from by-gone eras.”

“Kids Salute to Military Heroes” is an effort to encourage young people to write stories about veterans and members of the military. Those profiles will then be shared with visitors at the Museum throughout the day and their young authors will be recognized in an afternoon ceremony. Youngsters who wish to participate should download, print, and complete the Veteran Profile form and bring it to the Museum on November 15, where they will receive free admission for their effort. To download the form visit this link on our website: www.nuclearmuseum.org and look under "Kids Salute to Military Heroes." Veterans and active military personnel will all receive free admission to the Museum that day upon showing their veteran or military identification or documentation of service.

The Veteran’s History Project, a Library of Congress project, will also be represented at the Museum. The mission of the project is to “collect, preserve, and make accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.”

The day will also prove of interest to car buffs. Classic cars (those before 1973; many models from the 1930s and 1940s) and distinctive military vehicles will be on display on the 12-acre site.

The Museum has received support from Kaufman’s West Army and Navy Goods for the Kids Salute to Military Heroes; they will be donating uniforms from several branches of the military so that kids can try on a uniform.

While the activities of the day are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Meet the Authors

2009-10-13T12:40:00.004-07:00

Author Event: The Nuclear Express: A Political History of the Bomb and Its Proliferation

October 18, 2009

Authors Thomas C. Reed and Danny B. Stillman will speak about the proliferation of nuclear weapon technology over the last seventy years: where the technology came from, how it spread, who is likely to seek such weapons next and why. They will also offer an insight into the successes that have precluded the “dozens of nuclear weapon states” feared by John Kennedy when he first came to power a half century ago.

Reed is a former Secretary of the Air Force and nuclear weapon designer at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Stillman worked at Los Alamos as a physicist; for fourteen years he served as chief of the Technical Intelligence Division.

Richard Rhodes found Nuclear Express to be “loaded with new information and insights; a fascinating read.”

The Reed & Stillman talk will be followed by a reception and book signing at 601 Eubank Blvd SE. Admission is $10 for Museum members, $15 for nonmembers.

40th Anniversary "SNAP"shot

2009-09-28T09:00:00.003-07:00

This article is a continuation of "40th Anniversary 'SNAP'shot" from the Museum's Fall Newsletter and gives a look at the interesting device called a SNAP (Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power).

By Sarah Fair, curator

On January 16, 1959, a device that turned heat created from radioactivity into electricity was demonstrated for the first time on President Eisenhower’s desk. It was the size of a grapefruit, weighed 4 pounds and was capable of delivering 11,600 watt-hours for approximately 280 days. This device was called the SNAP-3. Two SNAP models will be on display in the Museum’s 40th Anniversary Exhibit. These models are an important part of the Museum’s collection and show how the Museum broadened its nuclear history and science horizons beyond weapons and into other nuclear technology uses.

The United States Atomic Energy Commission began developing a series of compact devices to supply power for space and terrestrial uses. These devices fell under the general title of Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power (SNAP). There were two different SNAP systems developed; both convert heat to electricity. In even-numbered SNAPs, heat is obtained from a small nuclear reactor. SNAP-10A, the first SNAP reactor power plant launched into space in 1965, is an example of that system. In odd-numbered SNAPs, the heat is obtained from the decay of certain radioisotopes such as Plutonium-238 (in the SNAP-27) and Polonium-210 (in the SNAP-29).

The early efforts on the SNAP began in 1956 with the objective of powering instruments in space satellites. By 1963, two satellites powered by SNAPs were already in orbit.

The SNAP-1 was a small turboelectric generator with high-speed rotating components to convert heat into electricity. It was abandoned for thermoelectric devices, which had no moving parts and a longer lifespan than SNAP-1, with its two-month life expectancy. Work began to develop a new and more efficient thermoelectric and thermionic conversion units for use with a radioisotope heat source.

The SNAP-3 generator was assembled and tested in January 1959. It was a success because it generated 2.5 watts of electricity with a half charge of Polonium-210 fuel. This radioisotope system was selected for several reasons. It provided a concentrated heat source, was readily available, and was safe to handle. Because of the SNAP-3’s success, work began on generators to power satellites, moon probes, automatic weather stations, and navigational aids.

Satellites need dependable, long-lived electrical supply. They also need to be lightweight because pounds are precious in payloads rocketing into space. They must withstand the rigors of a ride on a rocket. The generator must also be safe, that in the event of an accident there will be no serious consequences from radioactive contamination. The SNAP-3A was used in 1961 in the U.S. space program for the orbiting of a Department of Defense satellite. It used a radioisotope generator with a supplementary electricity source for its radio transmitters and was the first use of atomic power in space

The SNAP-27 was developed for use by NASA in lunar landing missions and was designed to power the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package (ALSEP). Five SNAP-27 units provided electric power to ALSEP and were left on the moon by Apollo 12, 14,15, 16, and 17. The SNAP-27 from Apollo 13 is 20,000 feet under water in the Pacific Ocean. The systems transmitted information about moonquakes and meteor impacts, lunar magnetic and gravitational fields, the moon’s internal temperature, and the moon’s atmosphere for several years after the missions. Even after 10 years a SNAP-27 still produces more than 90% of its 70-watt output.

Visit the Museum on October 17, 2009 to see models of the SNAP-27 and SNAP-29 on display in the Museum’s new 40th Anniversary Exhibit. Check out the Museum’s website, www.nuclearmuseum.org, for more info about the new exhibit.

Congrats to Our Ad Agency!

2009-09-16T09:32:00.005-07:00

The science and art of branding a museum takes real expertise. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is pleased and proud to have found imminent assistance in this through our New Mexico agency, 3 Advertising.

Our congratulations go to the gang at 3 for their award-winning work -- they are now the proud owners of several ADDY awards:

With over 60,000 entries annually, the ADDY Awards are the world's largest and arguably toughest advertising competition. The Albuquerque ad agency won one gold and two silver awards.

The Museum's brand is more than a stunning logo and catching creative -- it's what we do day in and day out to reinforce our role in the community. As the only nuclear museum chartered by the US Congress, and as a Smithsonian affiliate, we have big shoes to fill. And we appreciate the aid our partners contribute.

Jeanette Miller, Director of Marketing and PR, holds the ADDYs won by the Museum's advertising agency. Congratulations to 3 Advertising!

Review of "Terrestrial Energy" by William Tucker

2009-08-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

Mr. Harmon is a friend of the museum and offered to read and review "Terrestrial Energy," by William Tucker, for us. Hope you enjoy!

“Terrestrial Energy” by William Tucker:

After years of research and failed attempts to get his book published, William Tucker has finally provided the general public with an easily understood overview of the entire energy picture including the familiar sources of energy from fossil and nuclear, as well as the more innovative alternative sources of energy including renewable and solar. He presents two basic premises: 1) As long as we continue burning fossil fuels, there is the possibility we may be modifying the earth’s climate that could bring wrenching and irreversible changes; and 2) the only way we are going to supply ourselves with enough energy while reducing our carbon emissions is through a revival of nuclear power. These premises are seldom, if ever, presented in a common text; however, the small but growing number of public figures willing to embrace these two premises include one of the Cofounders and former Director of Greenpeace (Patrick Moore) and a former Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (Christie Whitman). During his presentation at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History Einstein Gala last spring, Patrick Moore presented his reasons for converting from an avid opponent to nuclear power to one who embraces it as an appropriate technology for one our future energy sources.

Mr. Tucker, a veteran journalist who has been writing about energy and the environment for over thirty years, is supportive of nuclear energy, but recognizes that the future requires contributions from all sources of energy and candidly discusses the benefits and limitations of them all in his most recent publication. One of these limitations, common to most renewable sources of energy, is the vast amount of land mass required for their support and the fact that most of these sources are only available when they are exposed to the wind or sun. As Patrick Moore expressed during his presentation last spring, irrespective of the amount of energy produced by alternative energies, reliability of their energy supply requires that an alternative source of equal size must be available to replace that energy when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow.

Mr. Tucker’s text clearly demonstrates that solar and renewable energy sources are limited to potentially satisfying our peak power demands in circumstances where that demand is concurrent with availability of the energy source. Efficient use of these intermittently available energy sources requires significant energy storage capabilities that are not yet available and will require a large life-cycle carbon footprint associated with their development, manufacturing, and maintenance processes. These intermittent energy sources will not be capable of contributing to the base power load of this country in the foreseeable future. That role is essentially limited to the large power generating stations that use a combination of fossil and nuclear energy sources to generate the thermal energy necessary to provide large quantities of steam to their turbine generating systems. While a proponent of nuclear energy, he also recognizes that it is not the only answer. Rather, it is a necessary component of the mixture of energy sources available for this country’s journey into the future.

“Terrestrial Energy” discusses each energy source’s benefits and limitations in an organized manner starting with the fossil fuels including coal, oil, and natural gas and then discussing solar and renewable energy sources including hydro, wind, solar, geothermal, waves, biofuels, and hydrogen. His final section is reserved for a thorough discussion of nuclear energy including a reasonable overview of the accidents at both Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, the current renaissance including the public’s resistance to nuclear, and the eventual necessity of closing the fuel cycle with some form of reprocessing rather than indefinite retrievable storage in some repository whether is it is located at Yucca Mountain or another acceptable location. This comprehensive presentation of our current and future energy situation a good companion text to “A Brighter Tomorrow: Fulfilling the Promise of Nuclear Energy” written by our former Senator Pete Domenici and published in early 2007. Terrestrial Energy is a must read for anyone interested in what direction our nation is heading in its search for a sound and comprehensive energy policy.

Charles D. Harmon
Immediate Past Chair
American Nuclear Society Trinity Section

two months and standing tall

2009-06-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

We've made it through opening. We've survived our first 60 days. Now we are into our first week of Science is Everywhere Summer Camp in the new building. With three brand new classrooms to fill and tons of opportunity, we have drastically expanded the camp offerings for this summer. (NOTE: WE STILL HAVE SOME OPEN SPACES!)

Aside from the education staff, those of us with offices that share walls with the beautiful new restrooms seem to notice the increase in kids the most. Just moments ago a gaggle of joyous kids in the Robotics class took a restroom break. I know because I heard them happily bouncing through the restroom, then holler their way back to their classroom to continue working on today's robotic challenge. It's hard to be annoyed at these little disturbances when you know how much fun they are having.

Through the summer, we are also planning our first rotating exhibit for our new temporary exhibit hall. We have something up our sleeves that we are really looking forward to. Check back for hints and details!

We are finally jumping feet first into each section of the internet piece by piece. The Museum can now be found on TWITTER! You are invited to follow us and see what the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History has to "tweet" about!

Open for Business

2009-04-07T12:46:00.000-07:00

The weekend's festivities were wildly successful. In four days of events (from Thursday through Sunday) the Museum saw nearly 2,000 visitors, and generated an amazing amount of revenue through store sales, admissions, and memberships. We had nearly 150 new members join over the weekend, and had 140 of our existing members show up for their special sneak preview Friday afternoon.

A breakdown of the fun and excitement from each day will come soon (with pictures!), but for now we thought we'd share some nostalgia to remind us where we came from and how far we've come:

Huge thanks to visitor Dan Bialek for coming to the old space, making this video, posting and sharing it with the world.

almost there

2009-04-01T18:59:00.001-07:00

We are less than 24 hours away from our first event in the new museum - and tickets are still available!

The staff is exhausted, to say the least, but cannot express our excitement over sharing this triumph to the world. We can't wait to open the doors, and welcome guests from all over the world to learn about the science, physics, history, politics, origins, and future of the nuclear world. Our World.

We can't wait to share our new treasures, like the 1942 Packard Clipper - "Oppie's Ride":

She came home yesterday, much to our delight. She is beautiful and ready for her debut.

If you are able to make it out to any of our opening events this weekend, please take a moment to smile and thank any staff member or volunteer that you recognize. We are blessed to have a generous & dedicated group of people involved in this project from the early beginnings to the very end, and those people have given more to this museum than anyone could quantify. But know that the best way to thank us is not only to visit us, but to visit often! And bring friends!

sophistication, class, and style

2009-03-30T16:26:00.000-07:00

Just three of the many wonderful words that have been used to describe the new and re-vamped exhibits at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. Curious? Well, we've uploaded many pictures of the progress over the past few days to our photo site. We can't wait for you to see them in person. GRAND OPENING this Saturday April 4th at 9am. BUT, if you'd like a sneak peek - you are welcome to buy a ticket to our celebratory cocktail reception this Thursday April 2nd, 2009. For more information please call (505) 245-2137 x. 114.

The Entrance to ENERGY ENCOUNTERS

The Entrance to URANIUM CYCLE

Almost forgot....REDSTONE IS HOME!

2009-03-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

Full KRQE news story.

They loaded him up, drove him up the I-40, with news helicopters following the whole way. It's not everyday that a rocket takes a ride on the freeway - even in Albuquerque.

A Class Unto Itself

2009-03-27T13:30:00.000-07:00

It is official. We are now live, online, and into the new millennium. With the help of our friends at 3 Advertising, the new website for the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is up. It is still a little rough and needs more content, but that is coming and being updated everyday - so check back often!

With this new site moving forward, we have lost our online sales availability temporarily. SO, if you are interested in buying tickets for the Black Tie Opening Reception next Thursday April 2, at 6pm - please feel free to call (505) 245-2137 x. 114 and leave a message. Messages are checked and returned daily.

The move and installation is going faster than even we can believe. The exhibits built, designed, and being installed by Display Dynamics are AMAZING, and we can't wait to share them with you.

We have items from our Old Town location that we are getting rid of. That's right folks - it's an ATOMIC MUSEUM FIRE SALE! Check out what we have for sale on our flickr, and make us an offer on anything you think you can't live without!

We are a week away from this momentous occasion, and hope to see you there. More updates will occur on this blog as often as possible, in addition to updates of photos and videos to the flickr site.

Settling In

2009-03-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

Today was another big day for the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

Today Fat Man & Little Boy were moved from their former location at the Old Town Albuquerque location, to their new home in the new museum. The process was captured in both photos AND VIDEO! The full set is accessible on our online photo site HERE.

It is quite moving to see Fat Man roll along on his way to his new home, and we are excited to share it with you:

Things change every day at the museum, with all of the staff, volunteers, board members, and friends working together to get it ready to open in TWO WEEKS. It's hard to believe we've made it this far, and can't wait to open to the public and show the world what this museum has become.

If you haven't already done so, go to our website and buy tickets to our Opening Reception on April 2, 2009 - 6pm. Tickets are only $50, and this will be a GREAT party and an excellent chance to experience this amazing new museum.

moving pains, down the home stretch

2009-03-11T18:31:00.000-07:00

The long road to home is finally upon us. Since closing our Old Town location to the public on February 7th, the entire Museum staff and countless volunteers have been working nonstop to get everything packed and moved to the new building. During this, hundreds of volunteer hours were donated to get the new exhibit walls built and installed, more outdoor artifacts and exhibits were moved and set up by WWAR, phone lines put in, security systems installed, fire roads and inspections and residency.....and on and on.

As of this week, the staff formerly referred to as NAM staff is being moved to our new offices. As an aside, we will forever be nostalgic about the days when we had an easy to pronounce 3 letter acronym for our beloved organization. We are truly no longer the National Atomic Museum. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is finally here, but NMNSH is not as smooth of an acronym to pronounce. Symbolic in many ways, we are well aware of the fact that we are part of something far larger than ourselves. The future of this organization is boundless. With rocky roads and trials behind us, we look forward to simple problems such as answering phones with a much longer welcome.

"National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, how can we help you?"

This week, staff and volunteers are working late into the evening to prime and paint our new exhibit walls in the new building. If you have any extra time and are interested in helping - please feel free to give us a call at 505-245-2137 x.114.

Starting Monday March 16th all of the staff will be reporting full time to our new home at 601 Eubank SE. After being between the two spaces over the past 5 weeks, this is a great relief. There are still some things to be moved and installed after that. Our beloved Redstone will move either next week or the week of the 23rd. That same week our beautiful new professionally designed interior exhibits will show up, and the exhibit fabrication company will install them in their new home.

So - when do we open??

THURSDAY APRIL 2, 2009
Black Tie (optional) Cocktail Reception
6pm
a special preview for anyone which includes heavy hors'dvors, cocktails, music, and more
Tickets $50
available to purchase online at www.nuclearmuseum.org
for more info contact Special Event Coordinator Marina Colon at 505-245-2137 x. 114 or mmcolon@sandia.gov

FRIDAY APRIL 3, 2009
Member Preview
1pm-4pm
a special preview for all those foundation members and donors that have helped the museum along the way
for more info or to rsvp contact Membership Specialist Nadine Scala at 505-245-2137 x. 113 or rnscala@sandia.gov

SATURDAY & SUNDAY APRIL 4th & 5th, 2009
PUBLIC GRAND OPENING
9am-6pm
$8 adults
$7 senior
$7 youth
$6 active military
children under 5 - FREE!

This weekend will open this exciting new museum to the public for the first time and feature activities for all ages. See new exhibits, including Trinity and its Legacy, Energy Encounters, Little Albert's Lab. Dress to compete in the "Albert Einstein Look-Alike Contest," try some hands-on science, see our B29 and B52 airplanes, and so much more.

For more information check our website often www.nuclearmuseum.org. AND, sometime in the next few weeks this will change too! We're looking forward to the launch of our new website!

There's so much going on that it's hard for us to keep up, and we're doing it all! More to come!

Come Fly With Us

2009-02-19T16:22:00.000-07:00

The National Atomic Museum Foundation’s annual Einstein Society Gala invites New Mexicans to “Come Fly with Me” on March 7, 2009. The annual event will honor and celebrate the wide scope of achievement and commitment to furthering scientific endeavor made by individuals in areas of military leadership, medical technology, public policy and government, energy sciences, education and space exploration.

The Gala will be held at 6 p.m. at the Albuquerque Sheraton Uptown; individual tickets are $100 for cocktails, dinner, and dancing. The Gala and its accompanying silent auction is the Museum’s annual fundraising effort; proceeds will benefit the educational and historic programs of the Museum. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.atomicmuseum.com/. For more information please call (505) 245-2137 x. 110

Environmentalist Patrick Moore, Ph.D., has been named the recipient of the 2009 National Award of Nuclear Science, presented annually by the NAM Foundation to a prominent person that has had an impact on nuclear issues. Dr. Moore will receive the award at the Einstein Society Gala. Past recipients include esteemed author Richard Rhodes, and beloved New Mexican Sentor Pete Domenici.

Dr. Moore currently serves as Chair and Chief Scientist of Greenspirit Strategies Ltd., a consultancy focusing on environmental policy and communications in forestry, agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, mining, biodiversity, chemicals, energy and climate change. Moore served for nine years as President of Greenpeace Canada and seven years as a Director of Greenpeace International. As the leader of many campaigns, he was a driving force shaping policy and direction while Greenpeace became the world's largest environmental activist organization.

In recent years, Dr. Moore has been focused on the promotion of sustainability and consensus building among competing concerns. He was a member of British Columbia government-appointed Round Table on the Environment and Economy from 1990 - 1994. In 1990, Dr. Moore founded and chaired the BC Carbon Project, a group that worked to develop a common understanding of climate change.

a newsworthy event

2009-01-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

Great coverage - with video!

Koat - channel 7

pictures of this exciting event will be posted by the end of the day. Check our photo site by clicking on the photos to the left.

it's PLANE to see...this will be an exciting weekend!

2009-01-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!

The National Atomic Museum will move its largest artifact, a B-52B bomber, to its new location in southeast Albuquerque on January 10 and 11, 2009. The historic plane has been stored at the Museum’s previous location on Kirtland Air Force Base.

The plane wings will be hauled in pieces by tractor-trailer two miles to the new Museum location at Eubank and Southern Blvds. SE in Albuquerque, adjacent to the Sandia Science and Technology Park and KAFB. The route will take the planes from their current location off of Wyoming Boulevard to the new site, where a new Museum is under construction.

The fuselage will be towed on its own wheelgear by two special tow bars. The plane was delivered to KAFB from the Boeing plant. The plane was always used in the special weapons program, where it was flown to the test site in Nevada; it was not part of the Strategic Air Command, unlike most B52s.

The Boeing Stratofortress B-52 has been the main long-range heavy bomber of the Strategic Air Command. Affectionately known as the BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fella), the B-52 first flew on April 15, 1952. Nearly 750 B-52s were built when production ended in October 1963; the Museum’s plane may be one of two B-52B planes still in existence. On January 18, 1957, three B-52Bs completed the world's first non-stop round-the-world flight by jet aircraft, lasting 45 hours, 19 minutes, with only three aerial refuelings en route. A B-52 also made the first known airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956.

“Moving these significant artifacts represents a huge step toward becoming the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History,” said Jim Walther, Director of the Museum. “We know the public will appreciate having these giants available for viewing. We hear repeatedly how eager people are to see these important historical aircraft.”

Worldwide Aircraft Recovery Ltd. has provided assistance in a number of projects, including the entire Strategic Air Command Museum and its B-52, B-36, B-58, and an Atlas missile. They will move eight pieces for the Museum: four aircraft and four missiles. In addition to the B-52, the Bomarc, Mace, Matador, and Snark cruise missiles will be moved; three planes have already moved in October 2008. There are also plans to relocate a MiG-21 from Tucson, Arizona, to the new site.

So much change - it's hard to keep up!

2008-12-18T16:23:00.000-07:00

In the past three months the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History has progressed by leaps and bounds! The building is enclosed, interior walls are up and painted, there is lighting, flooring, and electrical. There are PLANES already moved onto the site (oh, B-29, how we've missed you!), and exhibits in preparation for installation. There have been countless hardhat tours where our volunteers, supporters, partners, and community members, have been able to preview this dynamic space and the future it holds. It is truly an amazing feeling for all that have had the opportunity to go see it.

Over 150 new photos have been uploaded to our flickr page, with many more to come!

However, the most moving day thus far was October 31, 2008. It was a momentous day. One of those days where you were proud to say "I was there."

It's one of those situations that I really think you had to be there to experience, but there were moments where we had serious chills and tears our eyes. Those of us in attendance got to be a part of both National and New Mexican history.

What happened? The National Atomic Museum's B-52 bomber, that has been sitting in the same spot at the old museum location on base for THIRTY FIVE YEARS, had one of the final phases of deconstruction done. The wings were removed from the fuselage (the body).

Three of the largest cranes in New Mexico were on hand to hold up the ends of the wings and the box in the center that holds them together. The staff from World Wide Aircraft recovery worked tirelessy all morning to prep to remove the FOUR BOLTS (each the size of an average adult forearm) that held the wings to the plane. Then, as if the many hours that passed hadn't yet, the wings and the body were no longer one. The fuselage was towed out from underneath the wings, and the wings then lowered in preparation to be seperated.

Sometime in December or January, Worldwide Aircraft Recovery will be back to tow the B-52 to its new home at our new site. Not only will this be momentous because of the new museum, but also because this plane will be towed there ON ITS OWN WHEELS. All you history, military, and science buffs out there - get your cameras ready! This is going to be some kind of an event!

While we can't have people coming up onto the new museum property, you CAN park yourselves in the parking lot of the Costco accross the street and take as many photos as you'd like! Details and information to come!

A Belated Update from volunteer Dick Perry

2008-09-20T10:29:00.000-07:00

August 29th, 2008

"The road appears to be essentially complete. The equipment was being moved out this morning. The pads for three aircraft (B-52, B-29, F-105) are all poured. The B-52 and B-29 pads have the forms off and the excavations are backfilled. The F-105 is finished, but the supports for the pole and the top forms will not come off until next week. The forms for the A-7 are set, and the rebar appears ready to be installed. The fill on the bottom of the forms needs to be built up and compacted before the rebar goes in. You'll see from the photos that the concrete is set quite low in the ground for the F-105 and especially for the A-7. There is a "hill" in that area of the outdoor exhibit park that still needs to be leveled. When that is complete, the pads will be at the correct height relative to grade -- they promised! I have confidence. If the hill remains, we will likely have a pond on the south side of the building when we get a good rain.

For those who have not been to the site in the latter part of this week, I offer the attached photos. The windows are in except for the one closest to the entrance. Insulation is going up on the roof and walls, and it looks as if the first of the HVAC equipment in the ceiling is being installed in the entry area. There is plumbing appearing above the floor -- looks like the start of restroom drains.

The drains around the inlets have been excavated (adjacent to the settling pond, at least), and there are the beginnings of forms and rebar for the inlets along the road and in the staging area. Let's hope we don't get too much rain this weekend."

The photos referenced will be added to the photo page today, in addition to some great shots of the limo - now under restoration! More blogs to follow! check back!

Update on the Aircraft Move

2008-08-15T14:13:00.000-07:00

from our friend Richard L. Perry, P.E.
Senior Manager, Corporate Engineering Practice
Sandia National Laboratories

Board member Jerry Adams will lead a team of volunteers over the coming weekend to start cleaning the B-29. We need to remove the rather massive amounts of pigeon remains from the aircraft in order to reduce the likelihood of corrosion and preserve the structural integrity of the airframes. After this weekend's activities, we will have a better idea of the extent of the cleaning required.

Worldwide Aircraft Recovery has returned to Nebraska to collect some required tools for the B-52 disassembly and move. They will return in a couple of weeks with towbars and additional trailers for the move.

This week NM Millwrights used the largest crane in New Mexico (100 ton capacity) to move the Atomic Cannon and Mk17 shape to make room for maneuvering the B-52 so that the wing can be removed. The center section of the Atomic Cannon weighs 110,000 pounds, and the Mk17 weighs 41,000 pounds.

Board President Chuck Loeber and Project Manager Harry Mumma report that the work to pour the concrete pads on the new museum site for the first aircraft displays (B-52, B-29, A-7, F-105) has begun. WWAR will fabricate the steel stands needed for the displays as part of their contract.

First planes, no trains, now automobiles!

2008-08-11T15:03:00.001-07:00

One of the new exhibits for the new museum will be a life size diorama of the Trinity Testing site, enclosed in the Manhattan Project exhibit. This exhibit will be packed with valuable information, but also filled with valuable artifacts! Two of those items are our Atomic Autos. We’ve been lucky to have come across two vehicles that were used by the US military in the 1940’s.

1941 Packard Clipper

Parked at the Trinity Testing Site in 1945.

“Ask the man who owns one”

This was the famous slogan that stood for one of the finest automobiles produced in America. It’s no wonder that a 1941 Packard Clipper, converted into a custom limo by Fitzjohn Coach Company, was chosen to transport Manhattan Project Scientists from the railway station in Lamy to Los Alamos. It also carried personnel to the Trinity base camp for the testing of the first atomic bomb. The car was donated to the Museum and requires extensive restoration.

Sitting on a flatbed in Albuquerque, NM. Waiting to be restored.

1942 Plymouth Special Deluxe

Plutonium being unloaded, on the Trinity Testing Site in 1945.

This is the type of vehicle utilized by the US military during the 1940’s. This particular model was the vehicle used to carry the plutonium core for the “device” – the first atomic bomb – to the Trinity site for the historic test that would change the world. This particular model was purchased by the museum to be restored to military function and look for this exhibit.

We were lucky enough to have this vehicle painted by Car Crafters here in Albuquerque, New Mexico - just in time for our annual fundraising event. It was towed to and from the event with the help of Macy's Towing. The annual Einstein Gala was a one of a kind event, partly due to the presence of this beautiful vehicle. All our donors, friends, and volunteers got the pleasure of a vintage photo opportunity with the Plymouth.

Fresh paint and on display with long time volunteer Dick Justus at the annual National Atomic Museum Einstein Gala fundraising event, March 2008.

More pictures of the Atomic Autos project can be found here.

The most vital support beam in this whole project.

2008-07-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

This weeks blog post is about our esteemed board president Chuck Loeber. Chuck has worked diligently on this project, but also spent many years working diligently in our field. Chuck is the author of Building the Bombs: A History of the Nuclear Weapons Complex. (which is available in the museum store)

About the Author:

"Charles Loeber worked as an engineer on the design and production of nuclear weapons for more than 40 years. He served in a variety of organizations, including the Department of the Army, the Department of Energy, and Sandia National Laboratories. Over time, his interest in the history of the Nuclear Weapons Complex grew into a hobby, and he became an authority on the subject."

This book is known as being one of the difinitive resources on the topic, being ordered and shipped every day from our store to buyers all over the world.

Take a moment to listen to this great radio interview he did. Scroll down or enter "loeber" in "find a page" to hear his spot on the show.

Resources like Chuck are one of the many reasons that this museum is truly a treasure. We are lucky to have experienced individuals with decades of knowledge as partners, docents, board members, and volunteers. We can't thank them enough, but hope to at least honor them by the creation of this new museum. It will be filled with information and knowledge of fields and topics that they themselves pioneered.

And don't forget to check out our photo page. This project is really moving - thanks to Chuck and his team!

A good looking crew

2008-07-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

We'd like to introduce you to the crew of Worldwide Aircraft Recovery. This is the team responsible for relocating eight external exhibits from our former museum location on Kirtland AirForce Base to our new site. As mentioned in the prior post, these exhibits include the B-29, B-52, F-105, and A-7 airplanes along with the Bomarc, Mace, Matador, and Snark cruise missiles. In addition, we plan to relocate a MiG-21 from Tucson, Arizona to our new site.

Ben Nattrass and his team from WWAR arrived at KAFB on Wednesday July 16th, and they immediately began work. The photo shows Ben and his team starting to disassemble the B-29.

If all goes well, they will complete their disassembly work by the end of August and move these exhibits onto our new site in September. They will then reassemble everything.

Big thanks to Ben and his team for taking on this project! The staff, board, and volunteers of the National Atomic Museum can hardly wait to be reunited with our planes and missiles when we move and become the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History next year.

The New Museum Takes Flight!

2008-07-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

The National Atomic Museum has contracted with Worldwide Aircraft Recovery Ltd. of Nebraska to move two of its largest artifacts: a B-29 and a B-52 bomber, both of which have been stored at the Museum’s previous location on Kirtland Air Force Base. The planes will be moved in early September, after disassembly.

The planes will be hauled by tractor-trailer 2 miles to the new Museum location at Eubank and Southern Blvds. SE in Albuquerque, adjacent to the Sandia Science and Techology Park and KAFB. The route will take the planes from their current location off of Wyoming Boulevard to the new site, where a new Museum is under construction. The B-29 is expected to be moved first, on a Saturday in early September.

“Moving these significant artifacts represents a huge step toward becoming the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History,” said Jim Walther, Director of the Museum. “We know the public will appreciate having these giants available for viewing. We hear repeatedly how eager people are to see these important historical aircraft.”

The B-29 was a revolutionary aircraft, the first intercontinental bomber. At 70,000 pounds, it was the heaviest production bomber built. Its 135,000 pounds fully loaded required an 8,000-foot runway for takeoff. It could cruise above 30,000 feet, out of range of flak and most enemy fighters.

The Boeing Stratofortress B-52 has been the main long-range heavy bomber of the Strategic Air Command. Affectionately known as the BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fella), the B-52 first flew on April 15, 1952. Nearly 750 B-52s were built when production ended in October 1963. On January 18, 1957, three B-52Bs completed the world's first non-stop round-the-world flight by jet aircraft, lasting 45 hours, 19 minutes, with only three aerial refuelings en route. A B-52 also made the first known airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956.

Worldwide Aircraft Recovery Ltd. has provided assistance in a number of projects, including the entire Strategic Air Command Museum and its B-52, B-36, B-58 and an Atlas missile. They will move eight pieces for the Museum: four aircraft and four missiles. In addition to the B-52 and B-29, they will move an F-105 and an A-7 airplane along with the Bomarc, Mace, Matador, and Snark cruise missiles. There are also plans to relocate a MiG-21 from Tucson, Arizona, to the new site.

Photo of exhibits waiting to be moved, currently on display outside the old National Atomic Museum at Kirtland AFB. Photo taken by flickr.com user marz0.

A long dusty road to our new home

2008-07-01T09:08:00.000-07:00

First, it was the prairie dogs. Next, came a transient owl. And finally, it was fugitive dust.

Fugitive dust? Yes, dust that is created by preparing our property for the building of a brand-new museum.

But, before grading could start (with a permit requiring us to water down the dust being created), a prairie dog relocation effort was underway. Prairie dogs, it turns out, must be assisted to find new living quarters.

And that transient owl? One day it was gone, presumably on to a new place.

Prairie dogs, owls, and even dust...all making way for our new home. A home that, as of last week, has all of its' steel roof installed.

New Museum = New Exhibits

2008-06-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History provides an independent, balanced, and accessible source of knowledge about nuclear issues - essential for an informed public, essential for acceptance of the nuclear industry, and a source of inspiration and education for young people - our next generation of nuclear engineers. Museum staff and volunteers have worked diligently to develop a series of new and redesigned exhibits to honor and support this mission.

Major Educational Exhibits planned in the new museum:

Radiation 101

Atomic Universe

Energy Encounters

The Uranium Cycle

Pioneers of the Atomic Age

Handle with Care; Radioactive Waste

Myths to Miracles; Nuclear Medicine & Radiology

Trinity and Legacy

Doomsday to Détente; The Cold War

Little Al’s Laboratory, Interactive Youth Physics Center

The MAZE; Global Conversations & Nuclear Issues
(this exhibit will address major issues and controversies and will be updated regularly to remain current)

NAM - an International treasure for scientists of all ages

2008-06-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

Museum Relocation Project: Selected Milestones

2008-06-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

October 30, 2007: Charles Loeber, the Museum Relocation Project Manager, and Harry Mumma, the Building Construction Manager delivered the Fugitive Dust Control Permit and the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan to our point-of-contact at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). These were the final documents required prior to construction.

October 31, 2007: After confirming that all prairie dogs and burrowing owls had been removed from our site, SNL issued their approval for us to proceed with infrastructure construction. We then notified the City of Albuquerque, and they immediately authorized A.S. Horner, their construction contractor, to proceed. By the end of this day, bulldozers were grading our site. The City is constructing our infrastructure using funds from the State of New Mexico.

December 19, 2007: Bids were solicited bids for construction of the building. These bids were due by January 31, 2008.

January 18, 2008: The City of Albuquerque, using A.S. Horner, completed Phase 1 of our infrastructure. This work was divided into two phases pending the City’s receipt of the second increment of funding from the State of New Mexico.

February 18, 2008: Charles Loeber and Kim Meagher as President and Treasurer respectively of the National Atomic Museum Foundation signed a contract with MV Industries, Inc. to construct a 30,000 sq. ft. building for approximately $5.7 million. MVI then proceed to obtain a City permit to do the earthwork, transfer the Fugitive Dust Permit, revise the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, obtain construction insurance, sign contracts with their subcontractors, mobilize their workforce, etc.

March 4, 2008: Charles Loeber, as Museum Relocation Project Manager, issued a "Notice to Proceed" to MVI.

March 19, 2008: MVI began preparing the foundation. This involved compacting the soil, constructing the foundation forms, installing all of the electrical conduits and plumbing that goes under the slab, placing the rebar, etc.

April 19, 2008: MVI began pouring the concrete foundation. The final pour should be completed on May 23rd.

May 28, 2008: The steel building is scheduled for delivery to our site.

June 2, 2008: MVI will begin erecting the steel building. This building should be up by mid-June.

A new place to call home

2008-05-12T14:39:00.000-07:00

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History Project

This project is a truly unique science, history education and preservation center for all to enjoy. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History will be located at the corner of Eubank and Southern Boulevards in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is a vibrant retail and technology park setting, less than 1 mile from I-40, yet near historic Rt. 66.

The Museum is a national center of nuclear science information and is dedicated to preserving and presenting information about topics critical to the public. The museum will be built on a 12-acre site and feature 14,000 square feet of exhibits to view and enjoy.

Outside of the facility will be the 9-acre Heritage Park that will feature aircraft, rockets, launch vehicles and even a part of a nuclear submarine. Visitors will enjoy up-close examination of these historic materials while following a wheel-chair accessible pathway featuring periodically placed benches and descriptive signage.

The new National Museum of Nuclear Science & History needs your support to assure all parts of the project are completed upon opening of the facility in spring of 2009.