The National Ignition Facility: Management, Technical, and Other Issues (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Nov. 8, 2001 |
| Report Number |
RL30540 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Richard Rowberg, Resources, Science, and Industry Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The U.S. Department of Energy is building a very large laser facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory that is designed to simulate the behavior of nuclear explosions. This project, the National Ignition Facility, is a key element of the Administration's program to maintain the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile in the absence of nuclear testing. Recent problems with the NIF project that are likely to result in a major cost increase have sparked new controversy about the project. This report describes the background of the NIF and presents a detailed assessment of the major managerial and technical problems facing the project.
