4 ms·
One problem is that NASA is running out of plutonium [1] as the Pu-238 used to this point was largely a byproduct of the weapons program and not a lot of nuclea
by cletus 9y ago
One problem is that NASA is running out of plutonium [1] as the Pu-238 used to this point was largely a byproduct of the weapons program and not a lot of nuclear warheads have been built lately.
[1]: https://www.popsci.com/new-technique-could-double-plutonium-production-for-nasa https://www.popsci.com/new-technique-could-double-plutonium-...
- samstave 9y agoConvert the warheads into batteries?
- sgt101 9y agoThere's a lot of that in Cumbria... about 120 Tonnes.
- philipkglass 9y agoSpent nuclear fuel from reactors doesn't have usable quantities of the right plutonium isotope. RTGs use the uncommon Pu-238. Plutonium in spent nuclear fuel is mostly Pu-239, 240, 241, and 242.
- nickik 9y agoWhile this is true it is just another reflection of the backwards nuclear policy of NASA and the US government. With different reactors, creation of more Pu-238 would not be a huge problem. The issue is just that there seems to be very little interest in pushing forward any areas and as so often the case many of these technologies are mutually supporting. I would really love a real push forward on Molten Salt reactors that would give you the ability to filter out a number of important substances that have a hole host of different uses. It would also go a long way in solving the nuclear waste problems. Here is some exploration of what is contained in nuclear waste: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv-mFSoZOkE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv-mFSoZOkE