2020-01-20 Mon

APSARA, the oldest of India's and Asia’s nuclear research reactors was inaugurated on 20th January 1957 by PM Jawaharlal Nehru in Trombay, Mumbai. The reactor was designed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) under the able guidance of Dr Homi Bhabha and built with assistance from the United Kingdom (which also provided the initial fuel supply consisting of 80 percent enriched uranium).

Apsara is a highly versatile light water swimming pool-type of reactor with a maximum power output of one megawatt thermal (MWt) that was built in August 1956. The reactor burns enriched uranium in the form of aluminium alloyed curved plates. This Apsara reactor is utilized for various experiments including neutron activation analysis, radiation damage studies, forensic research, neutron radiography, and shielding experiments. The reactor is also used for research and the production of radioisotopes.

The reactor was shut down in 2009, after more than five decades of service, for a revamp and went back into service after 9 years in 2018. The research reactor's upgraded version, like its ancestor, is indigenously made and replaces the earlier French made enriched fuel with an Indian made enriched fuel.

A Re.10 definitive stamp was issued in November 1965 that features the Atomic Reactor in Trombay. This blue grey/green stamp has the multiple Ashoka Pillars as its watermark.

Visit philamart to view and purchase variety of stamps from all over the world.