US Government is taking serious step toward space-based nuclear propulsion

Re:US Government is taking serious step toward space-based n... by Retric on Saturday August 12, 2023 @07:59PM (#37105289)

Nuclear testing got to carefully select locations to minimize harm, uncontrolled reentry of nuclear rockets has significantly less control.

It’s not the 99 rockets falling into the ocean shortly after launch that are problematic, it’s the 1 that almost works but then lands in the city we should be concerned with.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:US Government is taking serious step toward space-based n... by TheSpiceIsLife on Saturday August 12, 2023 @10:40PM (#37106166)

* * *

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:US Government is taking serious step toward space-based n... by askvictor on Saturday August 12, 2023 @11:28PM (#37106416)

Not falling on a city, but debris from Russia's launch last week was seen and heard in Melbourne, Australia: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-08/space-junk-leaves-tra...

That's pretty close for what would be high level nuclear material.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:US Government is taking serious step toward space-based n... by flagrant_taco on Sunday August 13, 2023 @12:34AM (#37106710)

We might see more obvious direct human impact from debris landed in cities, but nuclear debris falling into the ocean or land that isn't densely populated by humans still has plenty of bad side effects.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:US Government is taking serious step toward space-based n... by m4rtink on Sunday August 13, 2023 @03:36AM (#37107555)

Sealed fuel capsule at the bottom of the ocean should not be a big deal - ideally you would fish it out and re-launch it. This has already been done with an RTG before.

[ Parent | on HN ]