Topaz-II integrated system testing and qualification at the TSET facility

The Thermionic System Evaluation Test (TSET) is a ground test of unfueled Russian Topaz-11 in-core thermionic space reactors powered by electric heaters. The facility that will be used for testing of the Topaz-II systems is located at the New Mexico Engineering Research Institute complex in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The reassembly of the Russian test equipment was the responsibility of International Scientific Products and INERTEK, a Russian joint venture, with support provided by engineers and technicians from the US Phillips Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the University of New Mexico. The TSET facility is operated by US personnel with technical support provided by INERTEK engineers. The testing is being funded by the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization with the Phillips Laboratory responsible for project management.