France · Gif-sur-Yvette · 48.725, 2.149

Aquilon

Aquilon, a research reactor (critical assembly) in Gif-sur-Yvette, France, with 100 W of thermal power, operated by CEA Saclay. Decommissioned, first critical in 1956.

It was one of the 38 research reactors France has had; 2 remain in operation today. It went critical 8 years after the first research reactor in France, ZOE (EL-1) (1948). 44 critical assemblies remain in operation today across 12 countries. Its declared uses include materials testing.

Country

France

City

Gif-sur-Yvette

Type

Critical assembly

Thermal power

100 W

Operator

CEA Saclay

Status

Decommissioned

First criticality

1956

Purpose

Materials testing

See also: every research reactor in France · How research reactors work