Quote:
Originally Posted by pluto
Yes but, apart from the fact there's not much material left to create RTGs, they don't produce anywhere near enough power.
For this kind of application a small fission reactor like the ones found in nuclear submarines would be suitable. In fact they're perfect, and if public opinion and political will allow, it could be a great new peaceful use for those small reactors without too much modification.
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very hazardous payloads for a spacecraft or rocket to carry.
The Mark 1 pressured nuclear reactors, designed and built in the 1970s were based up a scale of the small nuclear reactors powering submarines.
The 2 engineers who designed them actually resigned after the Mark 1 was approved for construction, on the basis that they are not safe.
the Fukushima reactors that melted down were 1970s GE Mark 1 designs.
Once you lose power to these things, melt down is quick and catastrophic.
I would certainly NOT use Plutonium on that scale in anything being sent up into space with humans on board - Plutonium is one the most dangerous and toxic substances known. even though Pu is an alpha emitter, and can be handled with your hands, once it enters the lungs, blood stream or lodges into major organs or tissue, its Goodnight Irene - Seeya later Alligator.
I dont like the prospect of Plutonium being sprayed into the earths atmosphere if a rocket launch fails. All the Plutonium present on the planet is man made - a synthetic by product of the fissioning of Uranium.
There has to be an alternative power source or safety measures taken. Propelling a pressurised Nuclear reactor into space is Way too risky in my opinion