commencement of active experimental studies on the structure of the atomic nucleus in the Soviet Union. Production of the first proton beam and "pulse" amounts of neptunium and plutonium in the Leningrad Radium Institute in the first cyclotron on the European mainland.
start up of a large electrostatic generator in the Kharkov Physical and Technical Institute.
the start of research into the feasibility of achieving a nuclear chain reaction. Installation of the largest cyclotron in Europe in the Leningrad Physical and Technical Institute.
discovery of the phenomenon of spontaneous nuclear fission in uranium. Calculation and theoretical demonstration by Soviet scientists of the feasibility in principle of energy release from a uranium nuclear fission chain reaction. Establishment of a special committee on uranium. The drafting of a work programme on the achievement of a fission chain reaction.
recommencement of work on the atomic problem interrupted by the outbreak of the war.
commencement of work on the mastery of atomic energy. The setting up of a special physical laboratory - the No. 2 Laboratory in Moscow (now the Russian Science Centre "Kurchatov Institute").
the setting up of a governmental interdepartmental body - the First Chief Administration - to coordinate all work in the field of atomic science and technology.
mastering of the technology involved and organization of the production of metallic uranium and high-purity reactor graphite in the amounts needed to start up the first experimental reactor.
achievement of a controlled chain reaction in the fission of uranium for the first time in Europe and Asia at the No. 2 Laboratory in the first experimental uranium-graphite reactor.
start up of the first industrial nuclear power reactor.
testing of the Soviet Union's first atomic bomb.
testing of the world's first thermonuclear device in the Soviet Union. Establishment of the USSR Ministry of Medium-Scale Engineering as the authority dealing with nuclear science and technology.
start up of the world's first nuclear power plant in Qbninsk.
the establishment, on Soviet initiative, of international cooperation on previously classified problems of controlled thermonuclear fusion.
ratification of the Charter of the IAEA by the Soviet Union - one of the founder members of this international organization.
sea trials of the world's first nuclear-powered surface vessel, the icebreaker Lenin.
commissioning of the first commercial generating set of a water-moderated, water-cooled vessel-type (WWER) reactor at the Novo Voronezh NPP. Commissioning of the first commercial generating set of a boiling water-graphite reactor with nuclear superheating of the steam at the Beloyarsk NPP.
start up of the 76 GeV proton synchrotron at Serpukhov - the world's largest accelerator at that time.
heating of hydrogen plasma to 10 million degrees Celsius in the Tokamak-3 magnetic plasma-containment installation.
establishment of the International Nuclear Information System (INIS) with the active participation of the Soviet Union.
commissioning of the world's first desalination plant powered by a fast breeder reactor (BN-350) in Aktau.
completion of the first nuclear central heating and power plant at Bilibino in northeastern Siberia.
initiation of the international INTOR programme for the development of a demonstration thermonuclear reactor of the Tokamak type by the Soviet Union under the auspices of the IAEA.
start up of a commercial power generating set powered by a BN-600 fast breeder reactor at the Beloyarsk NPP. Commissioning of the 1000 MW(e) first pilot generating set in the Soviet Union, power by a water-moderated, water-cooled reactor, with a view to its serial production.
commissioning of generating sets at the Zaporozhe and Balakovo NPPs powered by water-moderated, water-cooled WWER 1000 reactors with earthquake-resistant unified and standardized equipment; the safety, reliability and performance of these NPPs, were improved by this measure. Expansion of the programme of international cooperation for the safe development of nuclear power, as proposed by the Soviet Union.
a switch-over in the nuclear industry to new forms of the planning of industrial development - programme goal management. A start with the carrying out of comprehensive targeted programmes in the area of advanced materials, microelectronics, optical fibre systems, mechanical engineering and instrument making.
commissioning of the Seymorput, the world's largest nuclear-powered lightercontainer ship. Inception of the ITER international programme for the development of an experimental thermonuclear reactor. Commencement of work on the conversion of the industry's military branches in the context of economic reform.
reorganization of the Ministry of medium-Scale Mechanical Engineering as the USSR Ministry for Atomic Energy and the Nuclear Industry.
start up of the Tokamak-15 plant - a prototype of a commercial thermonuclear reactor.
establishment of the Ministry for Atomic Energy of the Russian Federation (Minatom of Russia) to replace the USSR Ministry for Atomic Energy and the Nuclear Industry. Approval of comprehensive State target programmes for the conversion of enterprises administered by Minatom of Russia.
Page maintained by Anton Mets 19.09.1997