Through a cloudy crystal ball

Future challenges to reactor physics and reactor safety are dependent on their perception of the future of nuclear power and the tools available for analysis. Nuclear power will continue to exist for the next fifty years if only to support today's commercial nuclear power plants and the defense establishment. Barring major changes in the price and availability of fossil fuels, significant improvements in design, construction and institutional structures will be required before new commercial nuclear power plants are ordered. The computer revolution will result in vastly improved capability to collect and analyze data. These forces present a number of specific challenges to reactor physics and safety which are secondary to the challenge of providing economical, secure energy supplies for the US in the 21st century