Nuclear IndiaNuclear IndiaWebsite : www.dae.gov.in ISSN-09929-5523 Vol. 57/No.01-03/Jan-Mar/2015

January 26, 2015 DAE Head Quarters Mumbai, India

In 1939 Second World War breaks out and Dr. Homi Bhabha is stranded in India while on a short holiday from Cambridge. He joins as reader in theoretical physics under Sir C V Raman at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore in 1939.

In March 1944 Bhabha sends a proposal to the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust to establish a vigorous school of research in fundamental physics and plans that the new school would conduct research in nuclear energy as well.

thThe Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) of India, is established on the 10 of August 1948.

The Ministry of Atomic Energy is placed directly under the Prime Minister, and Dr. Bhabha is appointed as the Chairman of the AEC.

Rare Minerals Survey Unit is brought under the Atomic Energy Commission and

named as ‘Raw Materials Division’ (RMD) in 1949.Uranium deposits discovered at Jaduguda (erstwhile Bihar) in April 1951 and

drilling operations commence in

December 1951.Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) is

setup in 1950.

Formative Years

Dr. Bhabha takes up front line research in Cosmic Ray Physics and develops some novel techniques for studying cosmic rays which are soon adopted all over the world.

The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) took birth on December 19, 1945.

TIFR became the Cradle of India’s Atomic Energy Programme.

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The First Decade

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was established on August 3, 1954 with Head Quarters at the Old Yacht Club (OYC) Building, Bombay.

The first Research Reactor 1956 and is named APSARA later in 1957.

in Asia attains first criticality on August 4,

Radio Astronomy Group in TIFR started functioning in 1963.As a first step it was decided to set up a high resolution interferometer for studying the Sun at Kalyan near Bombay and work on this was started in late 1963 Soon after, the group got involved in the more ambitious Ooty Radio Telescope (ORT) project.

The 40 MW Canada India Reactor was brought to first criticality on July 10, 1960. Later the CIR was named CIRUS-Canada India Reactor Utility Services.

ZERLINA for Zero Energy Reactor for Lattice Investigations and New Assemblies attained criticality on 14 January 1961. This was the stepping stone to power reactors.

The Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay (AEET) is opened on January 20, 1957. It is later named as the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) on January 22, 1967.In 1957 a Training School starts functioning at AEET to ‘Hire & Train’ Scientists and Engineers in DAE.

The first ingot of atomically pure uranium is produced in the Uranium Metal Plant in January 1959. Development work on the extraction of uranium from the Jaduguda ore started in the late 1950's and was pursued at Trombay from 1959.

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The Second Decade

Between 1967-1969,six DAE units were established - • Electronics Corporation of India limited

(ECIL)• Po we r P ro j e c t s E n g i n e e r i n g d i v i s i o n

(PPED)• Uranium Corporation of India Limited

(UCIL)• Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC)• Reactor Research Centre (Indira Gandhi Centre

for Atomic Research)• Heavy Water Projects (later converted into Heavy

Water Board)

The Plutonium Plant is commissioned on March 31, 1964 (inaugurated in 1965). Only four countries in the world have such a plant at that time.

Units 1&2 Maharashtra are commissioned in October 1969 through an agreement with USA in 1963

India’s first Atomic Power Station, at Tarapur

• Research reactor PURNIMA-1 attains crit ical ity e m p l o y i n g p l u t o n i u m o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e Plutonium Plant by reprocessing the spent fuel from CIRUS.

• RAPS - Units 1 & 2 commissioned on December 16, 1973 & April 1, 1981 respectively.

Uranium Mill at Jaduguda, with a capacity to process 1,000 tonnes day of ore, commences commercial production of magnesium diuranate (yellow cake).

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The Third Decade

India conducts a peaceful underground nuclear thexperiment (PNE) at Pokharan on the 18 of May

1974.

Two heavy water plants come into operation at Baroda in Gujarat and Tuticorin in Tamilnadu in 1977 and 1978, respectively.

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, is thconstituted on the 15 of November

1983.

The Centre for Advanced Technology (now known as Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology), is established at

thIndore on the 19 of February 1984.

Variable Energy Cyclotron becomes operational at Kolkata th

on the 16 of June 1977. This has since grown into a centre of excellence.

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The Fourth Decade

Three 220MWe PHWRs namely MAPS-1&2 at Kalpakkam and NAPS-1 at Narora, UP are commissioned .

The fully indigenous research reactor DHRUVA (100 MWt) attains criticality in August 1985 at BARC.

Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) - a 40 MWt fast breeder reactor fuelled with unique Pu-U mixed carbide fuel) attains criticality at the Reactor Research Centre, Kalpakkam (now IGCAR).

Four Heavy Water Plants at Talcher (Orissa), Kota (Rajasthan), Hazira (Gujarat) and Manuguru (A P) are commissioned.

Bhatin uranium mine of UCIL commissioned at Jharkhand.

Thorium Plant of IREL at OSCOM, Orissa is commissioned.

The 14 MV Pelletron Accelerator is inaugurated at TIFR Mumbai. The accelerator is a joint endeavor of BARC & TIFR.

Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) established in March 1989.

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The Fifth Decade

Two under ground mines at Narwapahar, Turamdih and one opencast mine at Bandhurang, at Jharkhand are commissioned.

UCIL’s second ore processing plant at Turamdih is started.

The Kalpakkam Reprocessing Plant (KARP) starts operating.

A demo-facility for reprocessing of the FBTR mixed carbide fuel – Lead Mini Cell (LMC) commissioned by IGCAR.

233 thKAMINI using U fuel attains criticality on the 20 of October 1996. Kalpakkam becomes the only place in the world where fission of all three fissile materials is taking place at the same time.

India conducts five underground nuclear tests at Pokhran on May 11 and 13, 1998 after which India was declared as a ‘Nuclear Power’ by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister.

Eight 220 Mwe PHWRs (KGS-1&2 and 3&4 at Kaiga, Karnataka, RAPS-3&4 and 5&6 at Rawatbhata, Rajasthan) are put to commercial operation.

Two 540 MWe PHWRs (TAPS-3&4), Tarapur, Maharashtra are put to commercial operation.

INDUS-1, a 450 MeV Synchrotron Radiation Source at CAT, Indore achieved electron beam current of 113 milli ampere superseding the design value of 100 milli ampere.

The commercial phase of the second stage of the Indian Nuclear Power Programme is launched through Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) for design, construction and operation of fast breeder reactors in the country.

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Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at Narayangoan, Pune declared open to the world astronomy community on October 4, 2001.

The Sixth Decade

DAE announces setting up of the Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI) as a deemed university in 2005.

The first indigenous teletherapy machine BHABHTRON-1 developed by BARC for treatment of cancer is installed at the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research & Education in Cancer (ACTREC).

INDUS-2 the 2.5 GeV Synchrotron Radiation Source at Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore is dedicated to the Nation and the Centre is renamed as Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology.

India joins the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project. Other members are the European Union, Japan, South Korea, China, USA and the Russian Federation.

BARC and ECIL install the 32 metre diameter Indian Deep Space Antenna System – IDSN 32 for providing steering, tracking and science data reception support for ISRO’s Moon Mission, Chandrayaan-1.

A Low Power Critical Facility for Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) attains first criticality at BARC.

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The Sixth Decade

International Civil Nuclear Commerce •September 6, 2008, the Nuclear Suppliers Group amends its guidelines to facilitate international Civil Nuclear Trade with India• September 30, 2008 and December 5, 2008 IGAs signed with France & Russia respectively •October 10, 2008, India and the USA sign the historic 123 Agreement. This is followed with IGAs with several Countries. The process is still on.•February 2, 2009, India and the IAEA sign the India Specific Agreement on Safeguards.

Government of India approves the setting up of the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP) near Bahadhurgarh, Dt. Jhajjar Haryana.

Tummalapalle Uranium Ore Mine and Processing Plant, Andhra Pradesh, commissioned.

Power Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant – 2 commissioned at Tarapur, thMaharashtra on 7 of January 2011.

The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Unit – 1, (1000 Mwe VVER) at Tamil Nadu attains criticality on July 13, 2013 and is later synchronised with the grid on October 22, 2013.

India’s First Nuclear Powered submarine, ARIHANT, goes critical on August 10, 2013

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Contributions of DAE to the

Indian Space Programme

The entire space related activity was carried out under the umbrella of the Department of

Atomic Energy before the Department of Space was set up on 1st June 1972. Dr. Bhabha

and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai were the two visionaries who guided the Indian Atomic Energy

Programme and the Indian Space Research Programme in their formative years. On

November 21, 1963, with the firing of a two stage Nike-Apache rocket from Thumba in

Kerala State, India entered the 'Space Age.’

Even in the present times the close co-operation between the two departments is continuous. There are a lot of technologies and products being developed by the DAE for the Space programme. Similarly DAE uses the satellite links provided by ISRO in many of their activities.

187-foot high steel tower equipped with instrumentsfor collecting wind data at different heights

The rocket after assembly

The second stage, Apache, being attached tothe first stage, Nike, of the rocketDr. Vikram Sarabhai & Dr. Homi Bhabha

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Contributions of DAE to the

Indian Space Programme

Advanced Space MaterialBeryllium technology in India has been able to meet the requirement

of beryllium for strategic applications.Country has pioneered in making beryllium based products for

critical applications in the field of space, nuclear and modern

electronics industry. Beryllium Facility at Navi Mumbai

Beryllium rich alloy

Material: Be – 38% Al Composite

Feature:

Light weight, high thermal

conductivity, low thermal

coefficient of expansion, high

specific stiffness and very good

mechanical properties with a

high degree of isotropy.

Applications

Structural material for

commercial satellites and

spacecraft vehicles

Ultra High Temperature Ceramics (UHTC) for Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)

Material : Zirconium diboride (ZrB2),

Hafnium diboride (HfB2) and

Silicon carbide (SiC) composite Feature:

High thermal conductivity

High thermal shock resistance

Excellent high temperature mechanical properties

High oxidation resistance

The composite can withstand temperatures oup to 2000 C

ApplicationsSurface tiles for hypersonic vehicles like the

space shuttle. UHTC is selected to replace

Silica tiles in Reusable Launch Space Vehicle

(RLV)

Development of Materials for Future Programmes of Department of Space

Beryllium Cluster for Inertial Sensing Unit - GSLV

RIG – Rate Integrating Gyroscope

Used in Satellites and Launch Vehicles-Inertial Navigation and Guidance System Instrument Detects deviation of space vehicle from predetermined path / trajectory for correction.

RIG – Rate Integrating Gyroscope

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The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Electronics Corporation of India Limited

(ECIL) have developed the 32 meter diameter Indian Deep space Antenna System-IDSN 32.

IDSN 32 for Chandrayaan is

being used to track and send commands to Chandrayaan I, ISRO’s first moon mission that was

launched on October 22, 2008.

IDSN 32 is required for providing TTC and Science data reception support for ISRO's Moon

mission “Chandrayaan-I” and other future deep space missions.

Contributions of DAE to the

Indian Space Programme

Contribution to ISRO’S first Moon Mission-Chandrayaan I

Antenna Control Unit Operator Soft Console

IDSN 32 Antenna System

14 METER

ELEVATION ENCODER BOX

SUB REFLECTOR

SUB REFLECTORCONTROL SYSTEM

STOW LOCK

ELEVATION MOTOR 1

ELEVATION MOTOR 2

AZMUTH ENCODER BOXMOUNT STRUCTURE

AZ BEARING

AZ MOTOR 1 & 2

100 METER6 M

ET

ER

ACSSCABINET

Ø 3

2 M

ET

ER

TTC

MCS

STS

SECOND ANTENNASERVO

IDSN 32 for Chandrayaan

Image of the Moon taken during the mission

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Contributions of DAE to the

Indian Space Programme

Modernization of Tide Gauge Network for Survey of India

(Tsunami Warning)

Tide Gauge Server

Stn 2

Stn 37

IDU

2.4mODU

2.4 m

5m HUB Antenna

DEHRADUN

(HUB Station)

Stn1

GPS Data RS232

IDU

ODUEthernetSwitch

INSAT 3EC-Band

128 / 256 KbpsEthernetSwitch

Tide Gauge Data

Moxa Box

Moxa Box

Network size: 36 remote stations Expandable to 60

Encr

GPS Data RS232

VOIP Phone

VOIP Phone

Tide Gauge Data

Encr

Cisco Switch

Hub Chassis VOIP Phone

GPS Server

DecrNMS server

Protocol Processors

Upstream Router

Tunnel LAN Upstream LAN

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The 102nd Indian Science Congress was held at Mumbai University, Mumbai during February 3-7, 2015. The

theme of the exhibition was India Vision 2020, with focal theme as “Innovations in Science & Technology for Inclusive

Development”. DAE participated in the exhibition displaying all its activities.

Public Awareness Activities

Visitors at the DAE Pavilion during the 102nd Indian Science Congress, Mumbai

DAE participated in the 7th Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show at Gujarat during Jan 8-13, 2015. The event was

a platform for National and International professionals as well as for general public and young students to meet

together.

“Science Expo 2015 – An Interface of Science and Society” was held at Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai during

February 4-7, 2015. Some of the other participants included Haffkine Institute, IIT Bombay, C-DAC, Indian Institute of

Geomagnetism, TMC etc. Dr R K Sinha, Chairman AEC & Secretary DAE inaugurated the event. Several schools and

colleges in and around Mumbai, academicians and members of the general public visited the pavilion.

The 4th Bhopal Vigyan Mela was held at Bhopal during February 20 – 23, 2015 on the theme of “Development

of Ingenious and Indigenous Technology in every field as Mangal Orbitor Misssion (MOM)”. The exhibition was visited

by number of the general public, students and academicians.

The 3rd Rajasthan Science Congress with the theme of “Food and Water” was held at Jaipur, Rajasthan during

February 28 – March 02, 2015 in collaboration with the Manipal University, Jaipur. DAE put up an exhibition on all its

activities and future programs. Students, academicians, faculty members immensely benefitted from the event.

Dr R K Sinha, Chairman AEC along with Director NSC, Mumbai (center)at the DAE

pavilion during the Science Expo 2015

Students at the DAE pavilion during the Science Expo 2015, Mumbai

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