Nuclear Museum Logo
Nuclear Museum Logo

National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Hank Kosmata arrived in Hanford in January 1954 after graduating from the University of Utah with a degree in chemical engineering. Kosmata helped construct the K Reactor before he lawas assigned to “Reactor Design Analysis,” a team of physicists, mathematicians, and mechanical engineers that were tasked with designing a new, re-circulating reactor. After a year of planning, Kosmata and his team finalized the basis of what would become the “New Production Reactor,” or N Reactor.

Hank Kosmata’s Timeline
1954 Jan Arrived at Hanford.

Related Profiles

Veronica Taylor

Hanford, WA

Veronica Taylor is a member of the Nez Perce Tribe and grew up along the Columbia River near the Manhattan Project site at Hanford.

William “Bill” J. Knox

Chicago, IL

William “Bill” J. Knox was a research associate at the University of Chicago’s Metallurgical Laboratory (“Met Lab”) during the Manhattan Project.

Virginia Ballard

Hanford, WA

Virginia Ballard was born in Charleston, West Virginia. Her parents immigrated to the United States from Scotland.

H. O. Mehann

T-Plant/200 Areas

Mehann worked in the 200 West Area at Hanford during the Manhattan Project.