The Apsara nuclear reactor is a research reactor located in the town of Trombay, near Mumbai, India. It was the first nuclear reactor to be built in India, and it has played a significant role in the country's nuclear research and development efforts over the years.
The Apsara reactor was designed and built by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the primary nuclear research institute in India. It was commissioned in 1956, and has been in operation ever since. The Apsara reactor is a small, pool-type reactor that uses highly enriched uranium as fuel and heavy water as a moderator. It has a thermal power of 1 megawatt and a maximum thermal neutron flux of 4 x 10^12 neutrons per square centimeter per second.
One of the main purposes of the Apsara reactor is to serve as a platform for the development and testing of various nuclear technologies, including fuel fabrication, reactor instrumentation, and radiation shielding. It has also been used for the production of radioisotopes, which are used in a variety of medical and industrial applications.
Over the years, the Apsara reactor has undergone several upgrades and renovations to improve its capabilities and safety features. In the late 1990s, for example, the reactor was modified to allow for the testing of advanced fuels and materials, and in the early 2000s, it was equipped with a new control and instrumentation system. In addition, the reactor has been equipped with a number of safety features, such as a passive cooling system and a containment structure, to ensure the safety of the surrounding area and the operators of the reactor.
The Apsara reactor has contributed significantly to India's nuclear research and development efforts over the years, and it continues to be an important resource for the country's scientists and engineers. It has also played a key role in the development of India's nuclear energy program, which has grown significantly in recent years as the country seeks to meet its growing energy needs.
