United Kingdom · Aldermaston · 51.383, -1.150

VIPER

VIPER, a research reactor (fast) in Aldermaston, United Kingdom, with 500 W of thermal power, operated by Atomic Weapons Research Establishment. Shut down, first critical in 1967.

It was one of the 46 research reactors the United Kingdom has had; 1 remains in operation today. It went critical 20 years after the first research reactor in the United Kingdom, GLEEP (1947). 15 fast research reactors remain in operation today across 6 countries. Its declared uses include training and materials testing.

Country

United Kingdom

City

Aldermaston

Type

Fast

Thermal power

500 W

Operator

Atomic Weapons Research Establishment

Status

Shut down

First criticality

1967

Purpose

Training, materials testing

See also: every research reactor in United Kingdom · How research reactors work