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He didn't explain why we can't make a "beefy" nuclear option. It's also the option I would have expected, especially when you think of nuclear subs.
by jessenichols 4y ago
He didn't explain why we can't make a "beefy" nuclear option. It's also the option I would have expected, especially when you think of nuclear subs.
- WalterBright 4y agoI didn't think of nuclear subs. It would seem ideal for running a small moonbase. But I don't know how self-contained those reactors are, or how much they weigh. Surely a lot. There are also the nuclear batteries in some of the longer lived space probes. Those batteries have the major advantage of being very simple - a lump of radioactive material that gets warm - attach a thermocouple and voila! Electricity!
- mLuby 4y agohttps://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/kilopower https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/kilopower
- AtlasBarfed 4y agoLFTRs can scale down to closet sized, and most of the fuel (Thorium) is stable aside from the ignition uranium plug, but there's a LOT of materials to solve for long service.