Nuclear reactors deal with forces that can power cities. Every system must be designed with safety as the absolute priority. Engineers must solve multiple safety challenges simultaneously.
Even after shutdown, decay heat continues for months. The reactor must be cooled continuously, even when not generating power.
Engineering Challenge: Design cooling that works during earthquakes, floods, and power outages.
Radioactive materials must never escape, even in the worst possible accident scenarios.
Engineering Challenge: Build containment stronger than anything else humans construct.
Humans make mistakes, especially under stress. Reactor systems must be designed so human errors don't lead to accidents.
People must trust nuclear technology for it to be socially viable. Safety isn't just technical - it's also about trust.
Nuclear power must be extraordinarily safe to be acceptable, but making it extraordinarily safe makes it expensive and complex. Engineers must balance safety, cost, and practicality - and safety always wins.