И. А. Курбасова Е. И. Силантьева

TEXT В. A NEW WAY TO TRAVEL
(1) Our better knowledge of the atom and the nuclear energy will enable us to expand the spheres. of, .atom's ap­plication which even now seem practically unlimited. We all know of nyclear energy being increasingly used дд, med­icine and agriculture as well as in,industry and researchr

(2) For transport the atom provides a new and far more efficient kird of fuel, the atom-powered engines being similar to the conventional ones.

(3) Beaaiise of containing a great thermal . energy nu­clear, fuel economical and even small supplies of this fuel are sffiitjjiiit' for an airplane, ship, or locomotive to ope­rate for long periods of time without refuelling.

(4) In 1959, the Soviet scientists and engineers de­signed the- world's first atomic ice-breaker "Lenin" which was also the largest and the most powerful in the world. Indeed, it could make its-way through, ice two metres thick. Nowadays we have new more powerful ice-breakers

powered by nuclear energy

(5) There are atomic submarines which are capable та travelling around the world without refuelling.

(6) An atomic plane? This, too, can be built. Its advan­tages are the increased range, (дальность) of operatiop and , larger carrying capacity. However, the problem of procteting the crew from radioactivity makes the realization of the project difficult. .

(7) Plans for atomic locomotives have already been proposed in several countries. Indeed, it is theoretically possible to design an atomic locomotive for long railway journeys. This loco could run¹ for several months without refuelling. But, again, there are a number of problems which must be solved in order to make its operation safe and

(8) Although the successful realization of these projects involves many problems, new discoveries in science and technology may result in atomic ships, locomotiy.es and airplanes which.will eventually be able to compete with the existing modes of transport.