IRTO Siberia
The Trans-Siberian Research Complex (Транссибирский научно-исследовательский комплекс), also known as IRTO Siberia, and originally constructed in the 1960s as a partnership between the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics and the Russian military, is a massive, partially subterranean research complex located beneath the Kupino Airbase in Novosibirsk Oblast. The facility is comprised of two main segments connected by a train system; the Central Administration Block (CAB), which houses offices, conference rooms, storage, and personnel accommodation, and the Main Facility, which houses systems for satellite communication, bridge control, engineering, computing, and the bridge generation systems themselves. The site is simultaneously one of the oldest-built and largest IRTO facilities, and provides capabilities deemed irreplaceable worldwide.
IRTO Siberia | |
 | |
| Established | February 4, 1961 |
|---|---|
| Research type | Bridge laboratory |
| Budget | U€21 billion (2275) |
Field of research | Exophysics |
| Director | Renée Masson |
| Staff | 67,398 (2275) |
| Location | Kupino, Novosibirisk Oblast, Russia 54°21′04″N 77°21′21″E / 54.35111°N 77.35583°E |
| Affiliations | Interdimensional Research Treaty Organisation |
Operating agency | Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics |
| Website | tsrc |
| Map | |
Location in Novosibirsk Oblast | |
History
The facility was built in an effort to replicate Nevrin's early exophysics research after the success of a massive intelligence operation conducted against the company by the Federal Security Service (FSB) that had infiltrated the Girvan Offshore Science Facility. Originally shrouded in secrecy, after the passing of the Einstein-Rosen Accords, the facility was opened to the international scientific community for the first time, albeit under strict restrictions, and became Russia's first bridge laboratory. It continued to be upgraded over the following decades; first to a Gen 2 bridge lab, and then to Gen 3. As the years went by, the facility gradually became more westernised, and the Russian government's restrictions around the facility loosened. However, there are still some areas of the facility that remain off-limits to the present day.
Facilities
Power
Because of the complex’s remote location, it is not connected to the national power grid. Instead, it houses its own on-site reactors. The larger Research Nuclear Plant (RNP) at the main facility houses six 1150MWe VVER reactors, while the smaller and older Command Power Station at the administration block houses two 650MWe VVER reactors and a number of support power systems; it is also used for heating of the complex, with exchangers transferring thermal energy from the reactor cooling loops to the facility central heating system.
To support the construction of a bridge generator in the complex during the late 21st century, a new fusion power plant, known as the Physics Power Plant (PPP), was installed at the site. The plant houses three tokamak-style fusion reactors, each with a power output of 40GWe, for a theoretical maximum output of 120GWe, enough for bridge generation.
Transport
Within the complex, several train systems operate. These include an inter-facility surface monorail for transit between the CAB, the Main Facility, support buildings, and the airfield; an intra-facility miniature train system (minitrain) for cargo transport; and an intra-facility monorail for personnel transport within the Main Facility. Many personnel utilise the minitrain system as a shortcut to avoid packed "rush hour" on the monorail.
External transportation options are limited to road (the 50K route) and air transport via the facility's airbase. During the winter, road transport may be difficult or impossible, so many needed goods are kept inside warehouses in the facility and designed to not require restocking for the whole season. Personnel transportation is usually performed by air, and high-security or priority goods also usually utilise air rather than road transport.