Topic: NASA Developing Small Nuclear Reactor For the Moon

[sam]

"NASA astronauts will need power sources when they return to the moon and establish a lunar outpost. NASA engineers are exploring the possibility of nuclear fission to provide the necessary power, and they are taking initial steps toward a non-nuclear technology demonstration of this type of system."

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/sep/HQ_08-227_Moon_Power.html

[Reno]

It's amazing the innovations that they're coming out with in nuclear science. I remember anything nuclear use to be extremely unpopular back in the 80s and 90s.

[sam]

It's amazing the innovations that they're coming out with in nuclear science. I remember anything nuclear use to be extremely unpopular back in the 80s and 90s.

still is.. but its better than fossil fuels.

[GillE]

So how close are they to achieving fission?  I'm sure people would find fission reactors much more acceptable than fusion reactors.

It's absolutely ridiculous that we haven't had a proper nuclear power station building programme over the last forty years.  I know power plants are about as welcome as paedophile rehabilitation hostels, but if you gave everyone within the catchment of a power plant discounted electricity, the objections would soon dissipate.

[sam]

So how close are they to achieving fission?  I'm sure people would find fission reactors much more acceptable than fusion reactors.

I think you have fission and fusion the wrong way round  - but anyway with ITER they will soon be not too far from it, but I doubt it will be as revolutionary as people hope. Fusion still produces radioactive material and is still fairly disastrous if things go wrong... then again if things are well maintained by good people then it will never be an issue apart from the waste. Most of the bad PR from UK nuclear power stations is due to mistakes made during the unknown stages. Things are different now. Though coal stations produce radioactive waste too...

[GillE]

I think you have fission and fusion the wrong way round 

Whoops!   

You're quite right, Sam - I have.  I see ITER are looking to fill 80 vacant posts.  Perhaps I should apply for one of them and hope the ability to distinguish between fusion and fission isn't regarded as an insurmountable impediment.

[sam]

You're quite right, Sam - I have.  I see ITER are looking to fill 80 vacant posts.  Perhaps I should apply for one of them and hope the ability to distinguish between fusion and fission isn't regarded as an insurmountable impediment.

  if you got it working they wouldn't care!