THE ATOM: A-Planes A-Coming

While the space age seemed to be moving in, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission was able last week to make some solid news. The AEC reported that it is accelerating its program to develop an atomic-powered plane, announced "greater strides during the first six months of 1955 than in any earlier half-year . . . with the promise of nuclear-powered flight considerably brightened." A-plane reactor work is under way at Oak Ridge, Tenn., Evendale, Ohio and Fort Worth, Texas; new facilities will soon be built at Middletown, Conn. "Construction of the aircraft nuclear propulsion test area 'for testing aircraft reactors ... is nearing completion."

The AEC also reported that during the first half of 1955 the U.S.: ¶ Built and stored several new types of H-bombs.

¶ Made progress in developing a chemical to protect humans against fallout.

¶ Increased capital investment in U.S. atomic energy facilities to $6.6 billion.

¶ Became one of the world's top uranium producers, with 850 mines in operation.

¶ Budgeted $10 million for a new AEC headquarters at Germantown, Md., probably a "three-story, reinforced concrete structure," to withstand any H-bomb impact from Washington.