Apsara – U Reactor Becomes Operational at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

  • Nearly 62 years after Apsara research reactor came into existence, a swimming pool type research reactor “Apsara-upgraded”, of higher capacity was born at Trombay on September 10, 2018 at 18:41 hrs.
  • The reactor, made indigenously, uses plate type dispersion fuel elements made of Low Enriched Uranium (LEU). By virtue of higher neutron flux, this reactor will increase indigenous production or radio-isotopes for medical application by about fifty percent and would also be extensively used for research in nuclear physics, material science and radiation shielding.
  • This development has re-emphasised the capability of Indian scientists and Engineers to build, complex facilities for health care, science education and research.
  • “Apsara” was the first research reactor in Asia became operational in Trombay campus of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in August 1956.
  • After providing more than five decades of dedicated service to the researchers, the reactor was shut down in 2009.

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