Adm. Hyman G. Rickover was the central figure in developing both naval nuclear propulsion and the first civilian nuclear power reactors in the United States.
Key facts
- •Nuclear power provides approximately 10 percent of the world's electricity and 20 percent of U.S. power.
- •Rickover served as the head of the nuclear Navy for 34 years, overseeing the production of 140 nuclear warships.
- •The USS Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered submarine, began operations on January 17, 1955.
- •Zirconium cladding was used in reactor fuel rods to prevent contamination and manage neutron absorption.
- •The Shippingport, Pennsylvania reactor was the world's first civilian nuclear power plant.
Adm. Hyman G. Rickover, a U.S. naval officer, is credited with driving the development of nuclear power for both military and civilian use. After World War II, Rickover identified the potential for nuclear-powered submarines and successfully navigated bureaucratic and technical challenges to establish the U.S. nuclear fleet. His efforts also led to the creation of the world's first civilian nuclear reactor in Shippingport, Pennsylvania.
By the numbers
Establishing the Nuclear Navy
Following World War II, Rickover was sent to the Manhattan Project’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory to study naval applications for nuclear fission. Despite limited initial interest from the Navy, Rickover leveraged the 1946 creation of the Atomic Energy Commission to advocate for nuclear propulsion. By 1948, he secured a dual role within the Navy and the Commission, becoming the government's central authority for nuclear power. This allowed him to draft requirements and secure funding for the first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, which began operations on January 17, 1955.
Technical and Safety Innovations
Rickover addressed significant engineering hurdles, such as reactor safety and cooling, by insisting on rigorous testing and the use of zirconium cladding to prevent radiation leaks. He also mandated the construction of a shore-based prototype reactor that mirrored shipboard specifications to train crews and minimize risks. During his 34-year tenure, the U.S. produced 140 nuclear warships without a major reactor accident.
Expansion to Civilian Power
In addition to naval projects, Rickover oversaw the development of the first civilian nuclear reactor. Following President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1953 'Atoms for Peace' speech, the Atomic Energy Commission contracted with the Duquesne Light Company to build a reactor in Shippingport, Pennsylvania, as part of an effort to reduce industrial emissions.
Timeline
- 1946President Harry S. Truman signed legislation establishing the Atomic Energy Commission.
- December 5, 1947Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz signed a letter directing the Navy to pursue a nuclear submarine.
- August 19, 1949Adm. Louis Denfeld signed the requirement for a nuclear submarine.
- January 17, 1955The USS Nautilus got underway on nuclear power.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by War on the Rocks.
