Short story about lunar nuclear energy workers going insane due to stress

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I'm looking to find a short story that takes place on the moon (I believe) and involves workers responsible for taking care of a power plant (nuclear, I think) that powers the entire earth.



Due to its instability, the workers must concentrate intensely while on the job lest the whole thing explode. The stress of constantly living on the edge of disaster leads to men cracking and even attempting to trigger an explosion.



A prominent psychologist (who may be a recurring character by this author?) is brought in to assess the situation but concludes there is nothing that can be done relieve the stress. In the end, however, the power plant is stabilized and the stress removed, saving everyone.



What story is this?






story-identification short-stories







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    up vote
    5
    down vote

    favorite












    I'm looking to find a short story that takes place on the moon (I believe) and involves workers responsible for taking care of a power plant (nuclear, I think) that powers the entire earth.



    Due to its instability, the workers must concentrate intensely while on the job lest the whole thing explode. The stress of constantly living on the edge of disaster leads to men cracking and even attempting to trigger an explosion.



    A prominent psychologist (who may be a recurring character by this author?) is brought in to assess the situation but concludes there is nothing that can be done relieve the stress. In the end, however, the power plant is stabilized and the stress removed, saving everyone.



    What story is this?






    story-identification short-stories







    share|improve this question























      up vote
      5
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      5
      down vote

      favorite











      I'm looking to find a short story that takes place on the moon (I believe) and involves workers responsible for taking care of a power plant (nuclear, I think) that powers the entire earth.



      Due to its instability, the workers must concentrate intensely while on the job lest the whole thing explode. The stress of constantly living on the edge of disaster leads to men cracking and even attempting to trigger an explosion.



      A prominent psychologist (who may be a recurring character by this author?) is brought in to assess the situation but concludes there is nothing that can be done relieve the stress. In the end, however, the power plant is stabilized and the stress removed, saving everyone.



      What story is this?






      story-identification short-stories







      share|improve this question













      I'm looking to find a short story that takes place on the moon (I believe) and involves workers responsible for taking care of a power plant (nuclear, I think) that powers the entire earth.



      Due to its instability, the workers must concentrate intensely while on the job lest the whole thing explode. The stress of constantly living on the edge of disaster leads to men cracking and even attempting to trigger an explosion.



      A prominent psychologist (who may be a recurring character by this author?) is brought in to assess the situation but concludes there is nothing that can be done relieve the stress. In the end, however, the power plant is stabilized and the stress removed, saving everyone.



      What story is this?






      story-identification short-stories




      story-identification short-stories






      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question











      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question










      asked 2 hours ago









      David White

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      1442




















          1 Answer
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          "Blowups Happen" (1940; revised 1946), by Robert A. Heinlein



          Your description is a close match, especially regarding the investigation into the plant workers' mental health and stressful job responsibilities. The power plant is on Earth, and the revelation of an ancient disaster involving a similar, alien power plant on the Moon kicks the story into high gear. The story ends with the threat to humanity neutralized as the power plant is shut down in preparation for moving it off-planet.



          "Blowups Happen" first appeared in in Astounding Science Fiction (September 1940). Heinlein updated it for its next appearance (The Best of Science Fiction, 1946), but he eventually preferred the earlier version (Expanded Universe, 1980).



          You can read "Blowups Happen" online at the Internet Archive.



          References:




          • Wikipedia has a synopsis.

          • The Internet Speculative Fiction Database lists the publications that include this story.





          share|improve this answer






















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            "Blowups Happen" (1940; revised 1946), by Robert A. Heinlein



            Your description is a close match, especially regarding the investigation into the plant workers' mental health and stressful job responsibilities. The power plant is on Earth, and the revelation of an ancient disaster involving a similar, alien power plant on the Moon kicks the story into high gear. The story ends with the threat to humanity neutralized as the power plant is shut down in preparation for moving it off-planet.



            "Blowups Happen" first appeared in in Astounding Science Fiction (September 1940). Heinlein updated it for its next appearance (The Best of Science Fiction, 1946), but he eventually preferred the earlier version (Expanded Universe, 1980).



            You can read "Blowups Happen" online at the Internet Archive.



            References:




            • Wikipedia has a synopsis.

            • The Internet Speculative Fiction Database lists the publications that include this story.





            share|improve this answer


























              up vote
              5
              down vote













              "Blowups Happen" (1940; revised 1946), by Robert A. Heinlein



              Your description is a close match, especially regarding the investigation into the plant workers' mental health and stressful job responsibilities. The power plant is on Earth, and the revelation of an ancient disaster involving a similar, alien power plant on the Moon kicks the story into high gear. The story ends with the threat to humanity neutralized as the power plant is shut down in preparation for moving it off-planet.



              "Blowups Happen" first appeared in in Astounding Science Fiction (September 1940). Heinlein updated it for its next appearance (The Best of Science Fiction, 1946), but he eventually preferred the earlier version (Expanded Universe, 1980).



              You can read "Blowups Happen" online at the Internet Archive.



              References:




              • Wikipedia has a synopsis.

              • The Internet Speculative Fiction Database lists the publications that include this story.





              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                5
                down vote










                up vote
                5
                down vote









                "Blowups Happen" (1940; revised 1946), by Robert A. Heinlein



                Your description is a close match, especially regarding the investigation into the plant workers' mental health and stressful job responsibilities. The power plant is on Earth, and the revelation of an ancient disaster involving a similar, alien power plant on the Moon kicks the story into high gear. The story ends with the threat to humanity neutralized as the power plant is shut down in preparation for moving it off-planet.



                "Blowups Happen" first appeared in in Astounding Science Fiction (September 1940). Heinlein updated it for its next appearance (The Best of Science Fiction, 1946), but he eventually preferred the earlier version (Expanded Universe, 1980).



                You can read "Blowups Happen" online at the Internet Archive.



                References:




                • Wikipedia has a synopsis.

                • The Internet Speculative Fiction Database lists the publications that include this story.





                share|improve this answer














                "Blowups Happen" (1940; revised 1946), by Robert A. Heinlein



                Your description is a close match, especially regarding the investigation into the plant workers' mental health and stressful job responsibilities. The power plant is on Earth, and the revelation of an ancient disaster involving a similar, alien power plant on the Moon kicks the story into high gear. The story ends with the threat to humanity neutralized as the power plant is shut down in preparation for moving it off-planet.



                "Blowups Happen" first appeared in in Astounding Science Fiction (September 1940). Heinlein updated it for its next appearance (The Best of Science Fiction, 1946), but he eventually preferred the earlier version (Expanded Universe, 1980).



                You can read "Blowups Happen" online at the Internet Archive.



                References:




                • Wikipedia has a synopsis.

                • The Internet Speculative Fiction Database lists the publications that include this story.






                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited 1 hour ago

























                answered 1 hour ago









                Gaultheria

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