NationStates Jolt Archive

(HIFEX News Agency: Schultaria Prime 1:00 am CST)

-On the campus of the University of Schultaria Prime, amidst the cheers of various academic and government dignitaries, came news regarding one of Schultaria's most ambitious projects to date.

"Friends and honored guests, what once was only thought to be an expensive dream by wealthier countries with unlimited bankrolls has become a reality for our proud little nation," pronounced Professor Katherine Ormich, "Today, we are one step closer in further exploration in both the theory and practical use of Nuclear Fission; today, we announce to the world that the University of Schultaria Prime has successfully contained and sustained a Nuclear Fission reaction."

-Following a well attended banquet of various members of all academic and government disciplines, a tour of the reactor was given by Professors Ormich and Kronsen (Both natives of the City of Tarannu). Through the exclusive authority of the Schultarian government, we have been allowed to offer limited details about this recent achievement.

http://www.bonedaddy.net/emschultz/NSreactor.jpg
-File Photo: Courtesy of the University of Schultaria Prime

+"Haarvekord" Uranium Fission Mark 1 (Pile) Reactor
-Total Dimensions:
Length (10 m); Width (5 m); Depth (5 m)
-Fission Source: 45kg U-238 with alternating Graphite Spacers
-Control Mechanism: 12 Cadmium Rods 5 meters in length
-Emergency Suppression: 250 Liters of Cadmium Hydride

A message from the Central Director:
"On behalf of all those who have committed so much of their time and energy with this project, I personally thank each and every one of them. This represents the culmination of well over a decade's worth of research, industry, and development.

We welcome any foreign government or research institution to come and tour our facilities in the interests of Nuclear non-proliferation and using fission for peaceful purposes."

BUMP

(HIFEX News Agency: Schultaria Prime 11:00 CST)

-As the "Haarvekord" reactor project concludes it's first year of operational life, there have been distrubing reports from several high level technicians.

"We honestly don't understand what is happening, but it appears that our reactor is slowly faltering," said Donald Rogerst, the night-time Chief Engineer, "while the quality and fissionable properties of the Uranium appear to be stable, the reactor has begun to lose power."

"Our best personnel are running the numbers, and it looks as though we might have a severe situation on our hands," stated Professor Katherine Ormich, "it's completely out of hand. By our best estimates, it appears that this reactor experiment might run completely cold before the year's end."

-Though unsatified by the recent reports, the Schultarian National Assembly has authorized the allocation of another 350,000,000 merlons (100,000,000 Standard Dollars) to fund additional research to revive the project.

BUMP

We hope you may fix this problem soon,We are donateing 30 million to our great ally,Just ask for more if needed always willing to help you.

(HIFEX News Agency: Schultaria Prime 10:30 CST)

-Three and a half weeks following a much subdued first year celebration, it appears that the reactor is no longer sustainable. Active radation detectors, once the centerpiece of the reactor's early warning system, are attempting to determine what portions of the core are now operational. While some portions of the core are still in an active state of fission, nearly 60 percent of the reactor is inert.

http://www.bonedaddy.net/emschultz/NSPileActivity.gif
-The following is a diagram showing what the radation detectors are now recieving. The blue portions show little active fission while the red shows a moderately sustained chain reaction.

"A commission has been set up by both the University and the National Government," said Professor Douglas Kronsen in a press conference earlier today, "all of the top Schultarian Nuclear scientists have agreed to form a panel and begin an extensive investigation into the lackluster results that our reactor has produced. Our mission is to finish our investigations within the end of 3 months and draw up a plan to revaitalize nuclear research within Schultaria Prime's Universities."

-With the culmination of over ten years of work resulting in the dismal performance of the "Haarvekord" design, many government officials have decided to allow the panel full government support and backing.

"This project represents our first critical steps into a more self-sufficient age. We simply can't allow this failure to reduce Schultaria's ability to work for the betterment of it's people." said Director Damien, "I, for one, am a firm believer in the integrity and thoroughness of our scientists. We will find the answers to this conundrum."

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On behalf of the University of Schultaria Prime,

The results of our committee's findings were completely and totally inconclusive; therefore, in the interests of preserving nearly 12 years and 3,000,000,000 Dollars of research, the University of Schultaria Prime is openly appealing to the international community to assist us in this crisis.

The government has authorized the University additional funding to cater to the needs of any researcher from any nation who would be willing to work on the "post-mortem" of our reactor design. Currently, we require the following specialists:

+Material / Metallurgical Engineers: For analysis of the Cadmium radiation reduction mechanisms, physcial structure of the Uranium, and the reactor casing.
+Nuclear Physicsts: For analysis of the Reactor Geometry, and the simulation of numerous reactor scenarios.
+Electrical Engineers: For analysis of power transmission mechanisms.

We thank you in advance for your willingness to commit to this project. On behalf of the University, as well as the nation, we hope that this project further imporves peaceful interests amongst all involved.

-The Board of Regents: U of Schultaria Prime
-The Schultarian National Assembly
-The Schultarian Central Directorate

BUMP